What Do Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster Do?
Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster Job Description 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.
List of Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster Job Duties
- Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains’ routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
- Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.
- Record departure and arrival times, messages, tickets and revenue collected, and passenger accommodations and destinations.
- 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.
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Skills Needed to be a Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster
Below is a list of the skills most Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters say are important on the job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Other Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster Job Titles
- Outbound Operator
- Roadmaster
- Road Conductor
- Ticket Collector
- Switchman Supervisor
Is There Job Demand for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 41,800 jobs in the United States for Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster are South Carolina, Texas, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Louisiana, or Oregon. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster Salary
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make between $44,690 and $95,330 a year.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters who work in Maryland, California, or Wyoming, make the highest salaries.
How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,850 |
| Arizona | $56,130 |
| Arkansas | $61,660 |
| California | $75,170 |
| District of Columbia | $66,770 |
| Florida | $62,260 |
| Georgia | $59,700 |
| Idaho | $61,060 |
| Illinois | $68,410 |
| Indiana | $62,370 |
| Kansas | $65,260 |
| Kentucky | $52,230 |
| Maine | $62,130 |
| Maryland | $77,790 |
| Massachusetts | $73,950 |
| Michigan | $62,460 |
| Minnesota | $69,500 |
| Missouri | $66,910 |
| Montana | $63,050 |
| Nebraska | $66,910 |
| Nevada | $67,010 |
| New Hampshire | $40,690 |
| New Jersey | $70,500 |
| New Mexico | $68,350 |
| New York | $66,560 |
| North Carolina | $56,380 |
| Ohio | $66,830 |
| Oklahoma | $42,680 |
| Oregon | $70,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,110 |
| South Carolina | $60,540 |
| South Dakota | $66,880 |
| Tennessee | $68,900 |
| Texas | $69,560 |
| Utah | $59,440 |
| Virginia | $68,130 |
| Washington | $67,560 |
| West Virginia | $62,080 |
| Wisconsin | $67,840 |
| Wyoming | $72,660 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Office
- Inventory tracking software
How do I Become a Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Railroad Conductor or Yardmaster?
Where do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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