Train conductor vs combined rail operator

The differences between train conductors and combined rail operators 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 $37,651 average annual salary of a combined rail operator.

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

Train conductor vs combined rail operator overview

	Train Conductor	Combined Rail Operator
Yearly salary	$58,474	$37,651
Hourly rate	$28.11	$18.10
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	1,646	29,768
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Train conductor vs combined rail operator salary

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

	Train Conductor	Combined Rail Operator
Average salary	$58,474	$37,651
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $83,000	Between $25,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between train conductor and combined rail operator education

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

	Train Conductor	Combined Rail Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Train conductor vs combined rail operator demographics

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

	Train Conductor	Combined Rail Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between train conductor and combined rail operator duties and responsibilities

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.

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.

Train conductor vs combined rail operator skills

Common train conductor skills

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

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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Train Conductor vs Combined Rail Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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