Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters: 46,440 jobs, median pay $78,000

46,440

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$78,000

Median pay a year

Middle half: $65,610–$83,820

3,000

Annual openings

10-year change: +0.9%

High school diploma or equivalent

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

7 of 7 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $80,000 · LCA filings 03,800$80,0000

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $46,440 · LCA filings 0190$46,4400

Savannah, GAMedian pay $38,020 · LCA filings 090$38,0200

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $96,120 · LCA filings 080$96,1200

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $45,600 · LCA filings 070$45,6000

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $59,790 · LCA filings 070$59,7900

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $92,400 · LCA filings 050$92,4000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$96,120800

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$92,400500

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 3,800 · LCA filings 0$80,0003,8000

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$59,790700

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployment 190 · LCA filings 0$46,4401900

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $69,098 · Level III $74,984 · Level IV $80,870$63,211$69,098$74,984$80,870

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $45,469 · Level III $47,362 · Level IV $49,234$43,597$45,469$47,362$49,234

Savannah, GALevel II $38,875 · Level III $40,435 · Level IV $41,995$37,315$38,875$40,435$41,995

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $79,061 · Level III $87,589 · Level IV $96,117$70,533$79,061$87,589$96,117

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $46,405 · Level III $47,653 · Level IV $48,901$45,157$46,405$47,653$48,901

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $56,763 · Level III $59,821 · Level IV $62,899$53,685$56,763$59,821$62,899

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $92,685 · Level III $97,240 · Level IV $101,795$88,130$92,685$97,240$101,795

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Ground TransportationCIP 49.02OPT · up to 12 months52OPT · up to 12 months

See Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in every metro area

All 7 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobs Jobs abroad Companies

Related occupations · Transportation

Stockers and Order Fillers Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Light Truck Drivers Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Packers and Packagers, Hand Bus Drivers, School First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology