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What is a conductor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Did you never get over your train phase from childhood? Then the career of a conductor might be right for you. As a conductor, you would get to work onboard a train every day and help passengers get to where they need to go.

You would have many day-to-day tasks as a conductor. You could spend your day checking passengers' tickets, selling tickets to passengers that need them, and answering their questions. If you work on a freight train, you would help load and unload cargo. You would also make announcements about stations and departures--for some people, yelling "all aboard" seems like one of the most fun parts of the job.

If you're applying for a job as a conductor, be sure that you check postings carefully. A conductor can also mean someone who leads an orchestra! Of course, if you are more musically inclined, then the second kind of conductor would be the right job for you.

ScoreConductorUS Average
Salary
4.6

Avg. Salary $58,690

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.5

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.90%

Asian 2.03%

Black or African American 8.71%

Hispanic or Latino 11.35%

Unknown 4.82%

White 72.18%

Gender

female 13.09%

male 86.91%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress Level
8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
4.5

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
2.7

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

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Conductor career paths

Key steps to become a conductor

  1. Explore conductor education requirements

    Most common conductor degrees

    Bachelor's

    35.3 %

    High School Diploma

    27.9 %

    Associate

    20.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific conductor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Switches28.25%
    Electrical Connections15.71%
    Locomotives13.52%
    Conductors6.70%
    FRA5.77%
  3. Complete relevant conductor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New conductors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a conductor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real conductor resumes.
  4. Gain additional conductor certifications

    Conductor certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific conductor certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for conductors include OSHA Safety Certificate and Forklift Safety and Inspector.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research conductor duties and responsibilities

    • Provide excellent leadership by training new conductors in railroad rules and regulations, while simultaneously managing the train yard.
    • Manage all commodities, crew, safety, and efficient delivery of each assign train and while following strict FRA guidelines.
    • Review and verify the train paperwork and train lists are accurate and in accordance with HAZMAT and other federal regulations.
    • Claim ladders to tops of cars to set brakes, make minor repairs to couplings air hoses, using have tools.
  6. Prepare your conductor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your conductor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a conductor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Conductor Resume templates

    Build a professional Conductor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Conductor resume.
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  7. Apply for conductor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a conductor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Conductor Job

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Average conductor salary

The average Conductor salary in the United States is $58,690 per year or $28 per hour. Conductor salaries range between $41,000 and $83,000 per year.

Average Conductor Salary
$58,690 Yearly
$28.22 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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