Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Wisconsin
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Wisconsin earn a median of $59,690 a year ($28.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,500 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $78,000. Wisconsin ranks 30th 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 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $64,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| 25th percentile | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Median | $59,690 | $28.70 |
| 75th percentile | $73,030 | $35.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Average (mean) | $64,110 | $30.82 |
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 | $4,974.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,487.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,295.77 |
| Weekly | $1,147.88 |
| Hourly | $28.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,690 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $84,550 | $40.65 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,560 | $31.04 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,000 | $16.34 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $52,660 | $25.32 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Wisconsin is $59,690 a year, or $28.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Wisconsin earn at least $74,500 a year. The top 25% earn $73,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,540 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $59,650 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Wisconsin?
About 630 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.