Train conductor vs passenger conductor

The differences between train conductors and passenger conductors 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 $54,568 average annual salary of a passenger conductor.

The top three skills for a train conductor include switches, rail cars and FRA. The most important skills for a passenger conductor are safety rules, train movement, and FRA.

Train conductor vs passenger conductor overview

	Train Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Yearly salary	$58,474	$54,568
Hourly rate	$28.11	$26.23
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	1,646	742
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Train conductor vs passenger conductor salary

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

	Train Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Average salary	$58,474	$54,568
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $83,000	Between $39,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between train conductor and passenger conductor education

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

	Train Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 30%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Train conductor vs passenger conductor demographics

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

	Train Conductor	Passenger Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%	Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 1.9% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between train conductor and passenger conductor 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.

Passenger conductor example responsibilities.

Manage all commodities, crew, safety, and efficient delivery of each assign train and while following strict FRA guidelines.
Perform hostler operations of operating locomotives between various shop locations, service tracks and switching areas.
Qualify on all NORAC rules and physical characteristics of the regional territory.

Train conductor vs passenger conductor skills

Common train conductor skills

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

Common passenger conductor skills

Safety Rules, 89%
Train Movement, 5%
FRA, 4%
Hand Signals, 3%

Train Conductor vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Train Conductor
Train Conductor vs Passenger Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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