Train conductor vs road conductor

The differences between train conductors and road 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 $56,582 average annual salary of a road conductor.

Train conductor vs road conductor overview

	Train Conductor	Road Conductor
Yearly salary	$58,474	$56,582
Hourly rate	$28.11	$27.20
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	1,646	14,401
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Train conductor vs road conductor salary

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

	Train Conductor	Road Conductor
Average salary	$58,474	$56,582
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $83,000	Between $39,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between train conductor and road conductor education

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

	Train Conductor	Road Conductor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Train conductor vs road conductor demographics

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

	Train Conductor	Road Conductor
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
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 road 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.

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.

Train conductor vs road conductor skills

Common train conductor skills

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

Common road conductor skills

Train Conductor vs. similar jobs

Train Conductor related careers

Train Conductor related jobs

What similar roles do

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Transportation Industry
Train Conductor
Train Conductor vs Road Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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