Conductor vs train conductor

The differences between conductors and train 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 $58,474 average annual salary of a train conductor.

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

Conductor vs train conductor overview

	Conductor	Train Conductor
Yearly salary	$58,690	$58,474
Hourly rate	$28.22	$28.11
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	567	1,646
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Conductor vs train conductor salary

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

	Conductor	Train Conductor
Average salary	$58,690	$58,474
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $83,000	Between $41,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	Tigard, OR	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	Barclays	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between conductor and train conductor education

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

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

Conductor vs train conductor demographics

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

	Conductor	Train Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%
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, 8.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 2.0% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between conductor and train 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.

Train conductor example responsibilities.

Provide excellent leadership by training new conductors in railroad rules and regulations, while simultaneously managing the train yard.
Operate track switches, couple cars and work on freight trains in yard operations and on the road with heavy travel.
Conform to FRA rules during train movement and transportation.
Require attention to detail in train consist and hazmat placements.
Get all the paper work for the train including all hazmat waybills and emergency response.
Inspect all equipment on cars and build trains in accordance with FRA, rules and regulations, prior to departures.

Conductor vs train conductor skills

Common conductor skills

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

Common train conductor skills

Switches, 18%
Rail Cars, 16%
FRA, 13%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Ladders, 10%
Locomotives, 6%

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Transportation Industry
Conductor
Conductor vs Train Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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