Conductor vs freight conductor

The differences between conductors and freight conductors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a conductor has an average salary of $58,690, which is higher than the $57,998 average annual salary of a freight conductor.

The top three skills for a conductor include switches, electrical connections and locomotives. The most important skills for a freight conductor are switches, FRA, and rail cars.

Conductor vs freight conductor overview

	Conductor	Freight Conductor
Yearly salary	$58,690	$57,998
Hourly rate	$28.22	$27.88
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	567	6,636
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Conductor vs freight conductor salary

Conductors and freight conductors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Conductor	Freight Conductor
Average salary	$58,690	$57,998
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $83,000	Between $40,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	Tigard, OR	Springfield, MA
Highest paying state	Oregon	Oregon
Best paying company	Barclays	CSX
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between conductor and freight conductor education

There are a few differences between a conductor and a freight conductor in terms of educational background:

	Conductor	Freight Conductor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Conductor vs freight conductor demographics

Here are the differences between conductors' and freight conductors' demographics:

	Conductor	Freight Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 2.0% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between conductor and freight conductor duties and responsibilities

Conductor example 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.
Qualify RCL operator and instructor.
Service customers including Paxon, Rhodia and Exxon.

Freight conductor example responsibilities.

Provide excellent leadership by training new conductors in railroad rules and regulations, while simultaneously managing the train yard.
Instruct and assist train crews in coupling/uncoupling cars, operate switches, and implement minor repairs to rail cars.
Assist co-workers to couple and uncouple cars, throw track switches, or other activities involve in switching railroad cars.
Make sure train consist is correct within CSX system database.
Train and educate new employees about BNSF rules and policies.
Monitor corrosive and combustible materials, broad knowledge of all HAZMAT procedures.

Conductor vs freight conductor skills

Common conductor skills

Switches, 28%
Electrical Connections, 16%
Locomotives, 14%
Conductors, 7%
FRA, 6%
Field Training, 6%

Common freight conductor skills

Switches, 15%
FRA, 15%
Rail Cars, 14%
Federal Regulations, 8%
Hand Signals, 7%
CSX, 6%

Conductor vs. similar jobs

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Freight Conductor responsibilities

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Transportation Industry
Conductor
Conductor vs Freight Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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