Conductor vs yard conductor

The differences between conductors and yard 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 $54,357 average annual salary of a yard conductor.

The top three skills for a conductor include switches, electrical connections and locomotives. The most important skills for a yard conductor are hand signals, , and .

Conductor vs yard conductor overview

	Conductor	Yard Conductor
Yearly salary	$58,690	$54,357
Hourly rate	$28.22	$26.13
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	567	4,094
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Conductor vs yard conductor salary

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

	Conductor	Yard Conductor
Average salary	$58,690	$54,357
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $83,000	Between $39,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	Tigard, OR	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	Barclays	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between conductor and yard conductor education

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

	Conductor	Yard Conductor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Conductor vs yard conductor demographics

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

	Conductor	Yard Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
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 yard 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.

Yard 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 yard conductor skills

Common conductor skills

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

Common yard conductor skills

Hand Signals, 100%

Conductor vs. similar jobs

Conductor related careers

Conductor related jobs

What similar roles do

Freight Conductor responsibilities

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs