Truck driver vs train conductor

The differences between truck drivers and train conductors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $58,474 average annual salary of a train conductor.

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

Truck driver vs train conductor overview

	Truck Driver	Train Conductor
Yearly salary	$60,326	$58,474
Hourly rate	$29.00	$28.11
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	827,858	1,646
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	48	45
Years of experience	2	-

Truck driver vs train conductor salary

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

	Truck Driver	Train Conductor
Average salary	$60,326	$58,474
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $90,000	Between $41,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	Wilmington, DE	-
Highest paying state	Delaware	-
Best paying company	W. R. Grace & Co	-
Best paying industry	Retail	-

Differences between truck driver and train conductor education

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

	Truck Driver	Train Conductor
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Truck driver vs train conductor demographics

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

	Truck Driver	Train Conductor
Average age	48	45
Gender ratio	Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	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%
LGBT Percentage	4%	7%

Differences between truck driver and train conductor duties and responsibilities

Truck driver example responsibilities.

Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
Flatb loads including steel and specialty metals, pipe, refractory brick, commercial building materials, lumber and equipment.
Follow all HAZMAT regulations while transporting hazardous materials.
Utilize appropriate PPE at all times.
Dedicate run from Tennessee to California with LTL.
Used proper PPE and safety equipment when need.

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.

Truck driver vs train conductor skills

Common truck driver skills

CDL, 47%
OTR, 12%
DOT, 10%
PET, 6%
Hazmat, 4%
Customer Service, 4%

Common train conductor skills

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

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Truck Driver
Truck Driver vs Train Conductor

Updated January 8, 2025

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