Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Illinois
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois earn a median of $79,820 a year ($38.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,440 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $78,000. Illinois ranks 8th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.46 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| 25th percentile | $76,980 | $37.01 |
| Median | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| 75th percentile | $96,120 | $46.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Average (mean) | $89,110 | $42.84 |
Half of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,651.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,325.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,070 |
| Weekly | $1,535 |
| Hourly | $38.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,120 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for railroad conductors and yardmasters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $102,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,610 |
| Maryland | $83,390 |
| Indiana | $81,260 |
| Delaware | $80,410 |
| New York | $80,000 |
| Virginia | $79,900 |
| Illinois | $79,820 |
| Florida | $79,600 |
| Washington | $79,040 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $93,320 | $44.87 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Flight Attendant | $62,120 | — |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $65,200 | $31.35 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-4031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Illinois?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Illinois is $79,820 a year, or $38.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Illinois?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Illinois earn at least $134,440 a year. The top 25% earn $96,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,290 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $76,980 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Illinois?
About 2,790 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.