Train conductor vs driver

The differences between train conductors and drivers 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 $34,771 average annual salary of a driver.

The top three skills for a train conductor include switches, rail cars and FRA. The most important skills for a driver are math, basic math, and CDL.

Train conductor vs driver overview

	Train Conductor	Driver
Yearly salary	$58,474	$34,771
Hourly rate	$28.11	$16.72
Growth rate	4%	11%
Number of jobs	1,646	1,017,998
Job satisfaction	-	4.33
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	45	48
Years of experience	-	-

Train conductor vs driver salary

Train conductors and drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Train Conductor	Driver
Average salary	$58,474	$34,771
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $83,000	Between $22,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	-	Vermont
Best paying company	-	Air Liquide
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between train conductor and driver education

There are a few differences between a train conductor and a driver in terms of educational background:

	Train Conductor	Driver
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Train conductor vs driver demographics

Here are the differences between train conductors' and drivers' demographics:

	Train Conductor	Driver
Average age	45	48
Gender ratio	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%	Male, 83.0% Female, 17.0%
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, 12.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 3.5% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	4%

Differences between train conductor and driver 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.

Driver example responsibilities.

Haul asphalt, gravel, dirt, etc.
Maintain accurate logs and comply with all FMCSA regulations.
Deliver sand, rock, and asphalt across eastern NC.
Provide safe and timely transportation for students, utilizing CDL license and attendant endorsements.
Reduce carrier and customer risk by remaining proficiently knowledgeable of FMCSA rules and regulations.
Air brakes endorsement but willing and able to get others including tanker, HazMat, and passenger.

Train conductor vs driver skills

Common train conductor skills

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

Common driver skills

Math, 14%
Basic Math, 14%
CDL, 10%
Safety Rules, 10%
Cleanliness, 10%
Customer Orders, 7%