Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in California
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in California earn a median of $69,950 a year ($33.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,680 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $78,000. California ranks 20th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.08 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $76,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,230 | $33.28 |
| 25th percentile | $69,230 | $33.28 |
| Median | $69,950 | $33.63 |
| 75th percentile | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,680 | $54.65 |
| Average (mean) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
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 | $5,829.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,914.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,690.38 |
| Weekly | $1,345.19 |
| Hourly | $33.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $77,070 | $37.06 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,600 | $21.92 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in California is $69,950 a year, or $33.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in California?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in California earn at least $113,680 a year. The top 25% earn $77,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,230 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $69,230 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in California?
About 1,500 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.