Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Michigan
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Michigan earn a median of $78,960 a year ($37.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,710 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $78,000. Michigan ranks 11th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.17 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $78,350, close to the median.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| 25th percentile | $65,610 | $31.54 |
| Median | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| 75th percentile | $79,890 | $38.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,710 | $44.57 |
| Average (mean) | $78,350 | $37.67 |
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 | $6,580 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,290 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,036.92 |
| Weekly | $1,518.46 |
| Hourly | $37.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $66,970 | $32.20 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $41,710 | $20.05 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,030 | $24.53 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Michigan is $78,960 a year, or $37.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Michigan?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Michigan earn at least $92,710 a year. The top 25% earn $79,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,850 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $65,610 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Michigan?
About 760 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.