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Railroad conductor vs combined rail operator

The differences between railroad conductors and combined rail operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a railroad conductor has an average salary of $58,338, which is higher than the $37,651 average annual salary of a combined rail operator.

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

Railroad conductor vs combined rail operator overview

Railroad ConductorCombined Rail Operator
Yearly salary$58,338$37,651
Hourly rate$28.05$18.10
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs54729,768
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Railroad conductor vs combined rail operator salary

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

Railroad ConductorCombined Rail Operator
Average salary$58,338$37,651
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $83,000Between $25,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between railroad conductor and combined rail operator education

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

Railroad ConductorCombined Rail Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Railroad conductor vs combined rail operator demographics

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

Railroad ConductorCombined Rail Operator
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.8% Female, 5.2%Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 2.0% White, 72.4% 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between railroad conductor and combined rail operator duties and responsibilities

Railroad conductor example responsibilities.

  • Travel from terminal to terminal by rail while strictly adhering to all FRA rules and regulations.
  • Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damage and defective equipment.
  • Project problem solving and analysis skills to maintain interaction with coworkers and supervisors.
  • Follow all GCOR and SOI rules with no injuries.
  • Project problem solving and analysis skills to maintain interaction with coworkers and supervisors.

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.

Railroad conductor vs combined rail operator skills

Common railroad conductor skills
  • Switches, 16%
  • Rail Cars, 13%
  • FRA, 13%
  • Air Brakes, 9%
  • Locomotives, 7%
  • Hand Signals, 5%
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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