Freight conductor vs yard conductor

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

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

Freight conductor vs yard conductor overview

	Freight Conductor	Yard Conductor
Yearly salary	$57,998	$54,357
Hourly rate	$27.88	$26.13
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	6,636	4,094
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Freight conductor vs yard conductor salary

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

	Freight Conductor	Yard Conductor
Average salary	$57,998	$54,357
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $82,000	Between $39,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	Springfield, MA	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	CSX	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between freight conductor and yard conductor education

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

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

Freight conductor vs yard conductor demographics

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

	Freight Conductor	Yard Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
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 yard 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.

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.

Freight conductor vs yard conductor skills

Common freight conductor skills

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

Common yard conductor skills

Hand Signals, 100%

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Freight Conductor
Freight Conductor vs Yard Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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