How Much Does a Train Conductor Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$78,000
Train conductors in the U.S. earn a median of $78,000 a year, or $37.50 an hour. Half of train conductors earn more than $78,000 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $109,770.
Pay percentiles for train conductors
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28.24 | $58,740 |
| 25th | $31.54 | $65,610 |
| 50th (median) | $37.50 | $78,000 |
| 75th | $40.30 | $83,820 |
| 90th | $52.78 | $109,770 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters (SOC 53-4031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for train conductors
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $102,260 | $49.16 | +31% |
| Pennsylvania | $83,610 | $40.20 | +7% |
| Maryland | $83,390 | $40.09 | +7% |
| Indiana | $81,260 | $39.07 | +4% |
| Delaware | $80,410 | $38.66 | +3% |
| New York | $80,000 | $38.46 | +3% |
| Virginia | $79,900 | $38.41 | +2% |
| Illinois | $79,820 | $38.38 | +2% |
| Florida | $79,600 | $38.27 | +2% |
| Washington | $79,040 | $38.00 | +1% |
| United States | $78,000 | $37.50 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many train conductors are there?
BLS counts about 46,440 train conductors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters”. The most jobs are in New York (6,980), Texas (4,640) and Illinois (2,790).
The mean (average) annual wage is $79,100, higher than the median of $78,000.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,500
- Biweekly
- $3,000
- Weekly
- $1,500
- Daily (8 hours)
- $300
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do train conductors make an hour?
The median hourly wage for train conductors is $37.50. The middle 50% earn between $31.54 and $40.30 an hour.
Which state pays train conductors the most?
Oklahoma has the highest median wage for train conductors at $102,260, +31% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for train conductors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of train conductors earn less than $58,740 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.