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Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

	Median Wage (USD, 2025)	Projected Job Openings (2025-2035)	Projected Growth (2025-2035)
National Statistics	$78000	3100	1.1%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$78000

Median Wage (USD, 2025)

3100

Projected Job Openings (2025-2035)

1.1%

Projected Growth (2025-2035)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Record operational details of travel.
Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.
Direct emergency management activities.
Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Arrange maintenance activities.
Inspect locomotives or other railroad equipment.
Monitor vehicle movement or location.
Prepare accident or incident reports.
Direct maintenance or repair activities.
Record operational or production data.
Verify information or specifications.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
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.
Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.
Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.
Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
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.
Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers.
Supervise and coordinate crew activities to transport freight and passengers and to provide boarding, porter, maid, and meal services to passengers.
Supervise workers in the inspection and maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure efficient and safe train operation.
Inspect each car periodically during runs.
Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.
Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time.
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.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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