Top 7 cities for railroad conductors and yardmasters by average salary
| Seattle, WA | $97,280 |
|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $87,680 |
| New York, NY | $75,040 |
| Denver, CO | $59,850 |
| Dallas, TX | $47,660 |
| Houston, TX | $47,370 |
| Savannah, GA | $40,440 |
Map: Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary by metro area
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Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary by state
Oklahoma pays railroad conductors and yardmasters the most statewide, $94,440 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $94,440 | $102,260 | 310 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $89,110 | $79,820 | 2,790 | 1 | $87,680 | $87,680 |
| Maryland | $88,340 | $83,390 | 300 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Delaware | $87,540 | $80,410 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New York | $86,720 | $80,000 | 6,980 | 1 | $75,040 | $75,040 |
| Mississippi | $86,160 | $78,010 | 440 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | $85,030 | $79,600 | 760 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $83,640 | $78,930 | 830 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona | $83,390 | $78,080 | 460 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $83,220 | $77,550 | 490 | 1 | $59,850 | $59,850 |
| Washington | $81,600 | $79,040 | 810 | 1 | $97,280 | $97,280 |
| Indiana | $81,500 | $81,260 | 1,720 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wyoming | $80,360 | $68,430 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $78,770 | $79,900 | 900 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $78,750 | $83,610 | 2,750 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $78,350 | $78,960 | 760 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $77,670 | $75,810 | 1,740 | 1 | $40,440 | $40,440 |
| California | $76,110 | $69,950 | 1,500 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Mexico | $75,150 | $77,890 | 400 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $72,890 | $73,660 | 420 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $72,560 | $71,740 | 790 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | $70,610 | $67,710 | 390 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $70,320 | $68,580 | 390 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $69,990 | $68,030 | 970 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Carolina | $68,070 | $58,930 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $67,100 | $68,980 | 4,640 | 2 | $47,660 | $47,370 |
| West Virginia | $65,470 | $55,180 | 320 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $64,110 | $59,690 | 630 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $62,980 | $68,730 | 1,200 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $61,810 | $61,390 | 1,480 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Dakota | $61,410 | $62,730 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $59,890 | $62,170 | 390 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | $50,230 | $52,380 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $97,280 | $92,400 | $46.77 | 50 |
| Chicago, IL | $87,680 | $96,120 | $42.15 | 80 |
| New York, NY | $75,040 | $80,000 | $36.08 | 3,800 |
| Denver, CO | $59,850 | $59,790 | $28.78 | 70 |
| Dallas, TX | $47,660 | $45,600 | $22.91 | 70 |
| Houston, TX | $47,370 | $46,440 | $22.78 | 190 |
| Savannah, GA | $40,440 | $38,020 | $19.44 | 90 |
Related jobs
- Subway and Streetcar OperatorsU.S. average $77,170
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive FirersU.S. average $69,030
- Locomotive EngineersU.S. average $85,900
- Rail Transportation Workers, All OtherU.S. average $60,140
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and HostlersU.S. average $68,450
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary: questions
Where do railroad conductors and yardmasters make the most money?
In Seattle, WA, with an average of $97,280 a year, among the 7 metro areas we cover.
What is the average railroad conductors and yardmasters salary in the U.S.?
$79,100 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $78,000, so half of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn more than that and half less.
What salary should railroad conductors and yardmasters ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of railroad conductors and yardmasters nationwide earn between $65,610 (25th percentile) and $83,820 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays railroad conductors and yardmasters the most?
Oklahoma, with a statewide average of $94,440 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is railroad conductors and yardmasters pay the lowest?
Savannah, GA, at $40,440 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-4031.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.