Freight conductor vs combined rail operator

The differences between freight conductors and combined rail operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freight conductor has an average salary of $57,998, which is higher than the $37,651 average annual salary of a combined rail operator.

The top three skills for a freight conductor include switches, FRA and rail cars. The most important skills for a combined rail operator are customer service, train operations, and switches.

Freight conductor vs combined rail operator overview

	Freight Conductor	Combined Rail Operator
Yearly salary	$57,998	$37,651
Hourly rate	$27.88	$18.10
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	6,636	29,768
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Freight conductor vs combined rail operator salary

Freight conductors and combined rail operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Freight Conductor	Combined Rail Operator
Average salary	$57,998	$37,651
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $82,000	Between $25,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	Springfield, MA	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	CSX	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between freight conductor and combined rail operator education

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

	Freight Conductor	Combined Rail Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Freight conductor vs combined rail operator demographics

Here are the differences between freight conductors' and combined rail operators' demographics:

	Freight Conductor	Combined Rail Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3%	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 2.0% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between freight conductor and combined rail operator duties and responsibilities

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.

Combined rail operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Monitor rail station CCTV equipment.

Freight conductor vs combined rail operator skills

Common freight conductor skills

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

Common combined rail operator skills

Customer Service, 26%
Train Operations, 26%
Switches, 14%
Troubleshoot, 13%
Mechanical Problems, 9%
Transport Passengers, 7%

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Freight Conductor
Freight Conductor vs Combined Rail Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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