Freight conductor vs passenger conductor

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

The top three skills for a freight conductor include switches, FRA and rail cars. The most important skills for a passenger conductor are safety rules, train movement, and FRA.

Freight conductor vs passenger conductor overview

	Freight Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Yearly salary	$57,998	$54,568
Hourly rate	$27.88	$26.23
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	6,636	742
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Freight conductor vs passenger conductor salary

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

	Freight Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Average salary	$57,998	$54,568
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $82,000	Between $39,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	Springfield, MA	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	CSX	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between freight conductor and passenger conductor education

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

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

Freight conductor vs passenger conductor demographics

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

	Freight Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3%	Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0%
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, 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 freight conductor and passenger conductor 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.

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.

Freight conductor vs passenger conductor skills

Common freight conductor skills

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

Common passenger conductor skills

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

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Freight Conductor
Freight Conductor vs Passenger Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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