Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Pennsylvania
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Pennsylvania earn a median of $83,610 a year ($40.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,870 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $78,000. Pennsylvania ranks 2nd of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.45 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,750, close to the median.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| 25th percentile | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Median | $83,610 | $40.20 |
| 75th percentile | $83,820 | $40.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,870 | $40.32 |
| Average (mean) | $78,750 | $37.86 |
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 | $6,967.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,483.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,215.77 |
| Weekly | $1,607.88 |
| Hourly | $40.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for railroad conductors and yardmasters
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $82,460 | $39.64 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $65,380 | $31.43 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,480 | $20.43 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,120 | $21.21 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,650 | $16.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Pennsylvania is $83,610 a year, or $40.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Pennsylvania earn at least $83,870 a year. The top 25% earn $83,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,990 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $63,970 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Pennsylvania?
About 2,750 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.