Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Conductor
- Freight Conductor
- Railroad Conductor
- Yardmaster
Alternate Job Titles
- Car Chaser
- Car Dispatcher
- Car Distributor
- Car Spotter
- Centralized Traffic Control Operator (CTC Operator)
- Conductor
- Dispatch Manager
- Engine Supervisor
- Freight Conductor
- Freight Trainperson
- Motor Boss
- Outbound Manager
- Outbound Operator
- Outbound Supervisor
- Passenger Car Conductor
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Far Vision
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Information Ordering
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Attention to Detail
- Leadership Orientation
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Automatic container locks
- Bridge plates
- Cable sheath cutters
- Car pullers
- Desktop computers
- Intercom systems
- Laptop computers
- Locking ratchet wrenches
- Mainframe computers
- Personal computers
- Portable bar code scanners
- Portable satellite communications systems
- Radio frequency identification RFID devices
- Starter punches
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $53,490 |
| Median | $74,080 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $103,350 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 42,710
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Locomotive Engineers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $77,400
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $65,480
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,030
Subway and Streetcar Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $84,830
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,880
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.