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Switchman vs road conductor

The differences between switchmen and road conductors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a switchman has an average salary of $57,143, which is higher than the $56,582 average annual salary of a road conductor.

Switchman vs road conductor overview

SwitchmanRoad Conductor
Yearly salary$57,143$56,582
Hourly rate$27.47$27.20
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs51814,401
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Switchman vs road conductor salary

Switchmen and road conductors have different pay scales, as shown below.

SwitchmanRoad Conductor
Average salary$57,143$56,582
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $81,000Between $39,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between switchman and road conductor education

There are a few differences between a switchman and a road conductor in terms of educational background:

SwitchmanRoad Conductor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Switchman vs road conductor demographics

Here are the differences between switchmen' and road conductors' demographics:

SwitchmanRoad Conductor
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 95.4% Female, 4.6%Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.0% White, 70.4% 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between switchman and road conductor duties and responsibilities

Switchman example responsibilities.

  • Manage daily inspections and audits of locomotives.
  • Complete safety training and follow all FRA safety regulations on a daily basis.
  • Operate track switches, couple cars, and work on freight trains in yard operations and on the road.
  • Qualify in GCOR, HAZMAT, OSHA, EPA and ODOT regulations.
  • Train & supervise various employees to be safe and knowledgeable conductors.
  • Process and evaluate train documents to assure compliance with FRA and company guidelines.
  • Show more

Road conductor example responsibilities.

  • Perform hosteler operations of passenger cars and locomotives in switching areas.
  • Qualify on all NORAC rules and physical characteristics of the regional territory.

Switchman vs road conductor skills

Common switchman skills
  • Switches, 27%
  • Ladders, 19%
  • Rail Cars, 12%
  • Air Hoses, 11%
  • Locomotives, 7%
  • Electrical Connections, 5%
Common road conductor skills

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