Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $96,120 a year ($46.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,120 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $78,000. Pay here is 20% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $79,820. There are 0.02 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.06). The average (mean) salary is $87,680, close to the median.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| 25th percentile | $87,130 | $41.89 |
| Median | $96,120 | $46.21 |
| 75th percentile | $96,120 | $46.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,120 | $46.21 |
| Average (mean) | $87,680 | $42.15 |
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 | $8,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,005 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,696.92 |
| Weekly | $1,848.46 |
| Hourly | $46.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $96,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
See Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $72,180 | $34.70 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,450 | $18.48 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,490 | $19.46 |
| Flight Attendant | $62,120 | — |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $65,200 | $31.35 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,290 | $18.41 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $96,120 a year, or $46.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $96,120 a year. The top 25% earn $96,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,260 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $87,130 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 80 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.