CFChooseField
Transportation and Logistics

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
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Median pay

$74,080
Median annual pay for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

1.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

3,100
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

36,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Active Listening
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2Transportation
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Law and Government
  6. 6Customer and Personal Service

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Far Vision
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Leadership Orientation
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  5. 5Performing General Physical Activities
  6. 6Documenting/Recording Information

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  3. 3Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  4. 4Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Representative tasks

  • Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
  • Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
  • Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
  • Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
  • Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
  • Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
  • Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
  • Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAutomated equipment identification AEI softwareBourque Data Systems YardMasterFreight reservation softwareInventory tracking softwarePositive train control PTC systemsRailComm DocYardSAIC government services and IT support software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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