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Freight conductor salary
Average freight conductor salary
$57,998
Average Freight Conductor Salary
The average salary for a freight conductor in October 2025 is $57,998 annually, or about $28 per hour. This compensation reflects the critical responsibilities of freight conductors in train operations, which include coordinating schedules, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and managing cargo.
Salary by State
Freight conductor salaries can differ significantly across states. For instance, states with higher living costs or more extensive rail networks may offer elevated wages. Notably, states like California and Texas often show higher salary averages for this role. Freight conductors in urban areas may also see increased pay due to demand.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for freight conductors remains stable, with ongoing demand for transportation services. As companies expand, opportunities are expected to grow. Individuals looking to enter this field should consider gaining experience through internships or related positions.
Conclusion
Understanding freight conductor salaries and the factors influencing them can help job seekers make informed decisions. By researching salary trends and job opportunities, prospective conductors can better navigate their career paths.
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Where can a Freight Conductor earn more?
Freight conductor salary estimates from across the web
Average freight conductor salary by state
The highest-paying states for freight conductors are Oregon, Alaska, and Iowa. The lowest average freight conductor salary states are Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for freight conductors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah | $71,327 | $34.29 |
| 2 | Oregon | $75,667 | $36.38 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $66,198 | $31.83 |
| 4 | Iowa | $71,921 | $34.58 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $65,964 | $31.71 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $65,159 | $31.33 |
| 7 | Nevada | $68,937 | $33.14 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $65,768 | $31.62 |
| 9 | Alaska | $73,783 | $35.47 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $71,363 | $34.31 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $66,862 | $32.15 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $61,432 | $29.53 |
| 13 | Louisiana | $63,144 | $30.36 |
| 14 | Michigan | $60,762 | $29.21 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | $61,118 | $29.38 |
| 16 | California | $70,151 | $33.73 |
| 17 | Arizona | $64,336 | $30.93 |
| 18 | Arkansas | $62,232 | $29.92 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| 20 | Idaho | $61,694 | $29.66 |
| 21 | Ohio | $60,222 | $28.95 |
| 22 | Illinois | $63,283 | $30.42 |
| 23 | Washington | $65,022 | $31.26 |
| 24 | Vermont | $64,285 | $30.91 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $64,041 | $30.79 |
| 26 | Texas | $63,048 | $30.31 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | $65,720 | $31.60 |
| 28 | Missouri | $61,645 | $29.64 |
| 29 | Delaware | $64,494 | $31.01 |
| 30 | Georgia | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| 31 | Kansas | $59,716 | $28.71 |
| 32 | Maine | $58,837 | $28.29 |
| 33 | Montana | $60,088 | $28.89 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $61,533 | $29.58 |
| 35 | New Jersey | $58,041 | $27.90 |
| 36 | Florida | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $59,921 | $28.81 |
| 38 | Maryland | $60,324 | $29.00 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $60,209 | $28.95 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $59,861 | $28.78 |
| 41 | Virginia | $62,723 | $30.16 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $59,431 | $28.57 |
| 43 | Alabama | $57,655 | $27.72 |
| 44 | Indiana | $59,437 | $28.58 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $58,576 | $28.16 |
| 46 | District of Columbia | $63,428 | $30.49 |
| 47 | New York | $54,253 | $26.08 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $54,995 | $26.44 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $56,504 | $27.17 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| 51 | Colorado | $50,833 | $24.44 |
Highest paying cities for freight conductors
The highest-paying cities for freight conductors are Springfield, MA, Washington, DC, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springfield, MA | $65,726 | $31.60 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $63,514 | $30.54 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $63,363 | $30.46 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $62,975 | $30.28 |
| 5 | Newport News, VA | $62,643 | $30.12 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $62,167 | $29.89 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $61,744 | $29.68 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $60,801 | $29.23 |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | $60,792 | $29.23 |
| 10 | Chattanooga, TN | $60,627 | $29.15 |
| 11 | Baltimore, MD | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| 12 | Parkersburg, WV | $59,936 | $28.82 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $59,282 | $28.50 |
| 14 | Savannah, GA | $59,113 | $28.42 |
| 15 | North Bergen, NJ | $58,215 | $27.99 |
| 16 | Rocky Mount, NC | $57,993 | $27.88 |
| 17 | Birmingham, AL | $57,792 | $27.78 |
| 18 | Spartanburg, SC | $57,185 | $27.49 |
| 19 | Buffalo, NY | $53,339 | $25.64 |
Freight conductor salary details
A freight conductor's salary ranges from $40,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $82,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a freight conductor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $82,000 | $6,833 | $39 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| Average | $57,998 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
Top companies hiring freight conductors now:
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Freight conductor salary trends
The average freight conductor salary has risen by $9,194 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average freight conductor earned $48,804 annually, but today, they earn $57,998 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for freight conductors over the last decade.
Compare freight conductor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average freight conductor salary over time
Compare freight conductor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Freight conductor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $58,000 | $27.88 | -3.1% |
| 2024 | $59,800 | $28.74 | +4.6% |
| 2023 | $57,000 | $27.40 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $54,600 | $26.26 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | $52,100 | $25.03 | +2.7% |
Recently added freight conductor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Manchester, GA | 06/12/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Leland, NC | 06/10/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Louisville, KY | 06/10/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Montgomery, AL | 06/10/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Columbus, OH | 06/10/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Chicago, IL | 06/10/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Indianapolis, IN | 06/10/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Etowah, TN | 06/10/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor-New | New Castle, PA | 06/10/2025 | $97,185 |
| CSX | Freight Conductor | Buffalo, NY | 06/10/2025 | $93,000 |
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