Conductor vs passenger conductor

The differences between conductors and passenger 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 $54,568 average annual salary of a passenger conductor.

The top three skills for a conductor include switches, electrical connections and locomotives. The most important skills for a passenger conductor are safety rules, train movement, and FRA.

Conductor vs passenger conductor overview

	Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Yearly salary	$58,690	$54,568
Hourly rate	$28.22	$26.23
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	567	742
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Conductor vs passenger conductor salary

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

	Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Average salary	$58,690	$54,568
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $83,000	Between $39,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	Tigard, OR	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	Barclays	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between conductor and passenger conductor education

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

	Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 30%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Conductor vs passenger conductor demographics

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

	Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 1.9% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between conductor and passenger 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.

Passenger conductor example responsibilities.

Manage all commodities, crew, safety, and efficient delivery of each assign train and while following strict FRA guidelines.
Perform hostler operations of operating locomotives between various shop locations, service tracks and switching areas.
Qualify on all NORAC rules and physical characteristics of the regional territory.

Conductor vs passenger conductor skills

Common conductor skills

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

Common passenger conductor skills

Safety Rules, 89%
Train Movement, 5%
FRA, 4%
Hand Signals, 3%

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Conductor
Conductor vs Passenger Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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