Description
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
- Enterprising
Work Values
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Self-Control
- Independence
Tasks
- Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
- Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
- Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Performing General Physical Activities
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Industrial control software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
- Inventory management software
Abilities
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Far Vision
- Near Vision
Skills
- Coordination
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Law and Government
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Conductor CertificationCertifying Organization
United States Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $50,129 |
| Median (50%) | $61,684 |
| High (90%) | $77,083 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $60,283 |
| Mid Level | $78,208 |
| Senior Level | $76,550 |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 41,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 41,900 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 2%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 2%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CV Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter Templates
All Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast