Freight conductor vs train conductor

The differences between freight conductors and train conductors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a train conductor has an average salary of $58,474, which is higher than the $57,998 average annual salary of a freight conductor.

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

Freight conductor vs train conductor overview

	Freight Conductor	Train Conductor
Yearly salary	$57,998	$58,474
Hourly rate	$27.88	$28.11
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	6,636	1,646
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Freight conductor vs train conductor salary

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

	Freight Conductor	Train Conductor
Average salary	$57,998	$58,474
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $82,000	Between $41,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	Springfield, MA	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	CSX	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between freight conductor and train conductor education

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

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

Freight conductor vs train conductor demographics

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

	Freight Conductor	Train Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3%	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%
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, 11.7% Asian, 2.0% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between freight conductor and train 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.

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.

Freight conductor vs train conductor skills

Common freight conductor skills

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

Common train conductor skills

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

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Freight Conductor
Freight Conductor vs Train Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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