Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Virginia
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Virginia earn a median of $79,900 a year ($38.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,900 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $78,000. Virginia ranks 7th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.22 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $78,770, close to the median.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| 25th percentile | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Median | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| 75th percentile | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| Average (mean) | $78,770 | $37.87 |
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 | $6,658.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,329.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,073.08 |
| Weekly | $1,536.54 |
| Hourly | $38.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $90,780 | $43.64 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $61,970 | $29.80 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,380 | $18.94 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,530 | $22.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Virginia is $79,900 a year, or $38.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Virginia?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Virginia earn at least $79,900 a year. The top 25% earn $79,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,860 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $79,750 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Virginia?
About 900 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.