How To Become A Yard Switch Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a yard switch operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a yard switch operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $18.14 an hour? That's $37,724 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -2% and produce -1,500 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreYard Switch OperatorUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $37,724

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.5

Growth rate -2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.38%

Asian 5.79%

Black or African American 16.37%

Hispanic or Latino 16.52%

Unknown 4.07%

White 55.87%

Gender

female 6.45%

male 93.55%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a yard switch operator

Explore yard switch operator education requirements

Most common yard switch operator degrees

High School Diploma

39.7 %

Diploma

17.6 %

Associate

16.2 %

Start to develop specific yard switch operator skills

Skills	Percentages
DOT	63.14%
Pre-trip	15.13%
Pallets	9.34%
Safety Rules	3.61%
Unload Trailers	3.02%

Complete relevant yard switch operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New yard switch operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a yard switch operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real yard switch operator resumes.

Research yard switch operator duties and responsibilities

Attend core computer and network systems training before receiving additional instruction in DOD information systems and defense messaging systems.
Maintain communication network equipment and switches, operate and install communication equipment, and operate diagnostic equipment specific to network switches.
Help OTR drivers when they can't get to a trailer.

Prepare your yard switch operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your yard switch operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a yard switch operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable yard switch operator resume templates

Build a professional yard switch operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your yard switch operator resume.

Apply for yard switch operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a yard switch operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do yard switch operators rate their job?

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Yard switch operator reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020

Cons

haven't found training for this field or any suggestions as to where there is any training schools for such in CA.

Pros

hourly pay and steady employment

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019