The Average Salary of a Railroad Conductor
Railroad conductors oversee and coordinate the activities of trains. There are a few requirements in becoming a railroad conductor. Job applicants must be at least 21 years old to apply. Many conductors begin at lower-level positions to gain experience. Aspiring conductors often hold an associate's degree in railroad operations. If you're interested in becoming a railroad conductor, you should learn about the earning potential for this career.
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National Salary
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The mean hourly wage for a railroad conductor was $26.39, and the mean annual wage, or average salary, was $54,900 in May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Experience
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The PayScale website lists salaries of railroad conductors according to experience level. In October 2010, railroad conductors or yardmasters with less than one year of experience earned anywhere from $30,521 to $45,371; one to four years, $43,583 to $58,748; five to nine years, $51,462 to $77,132; 10 to 19 years, $59,175 to $76,214; and 20 years or more, $55,095 to $79,499.
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High Employment
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The rail transportation industry employed the largest number of railroad conductors, with an average salary of $54,930 in May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other industries that employed large numbers of railroad conductors were support activities for rail transportation, with an average salary of $40,310, and scenic and sightseeing transportation on land, at $32,130. These industries are also the highest-paying industries for railroad conductors.
Top-Paying States
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New Mexico paid the highest average salary above all other states, with $71,410 in May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other states that offered high pay were: Wisconsin, $69,520; Mississippi, $68,810; Arizona, $67,520; and Oklahoma, $66,630.
Job Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, national employment for railroad conductors is expected to increase at a rate of 7 percent from 2008 through 2018. Opportunities will be good for those who are qualified due to a large number of workers that are projected to leave or retire.
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References
Resources
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