Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Kentucky
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Kentucky earn a median of $52,380 a year ($25.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,280 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $78,000. Kentucky ranks 33rd of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.06 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.18). The average (mean) salary is $50,230, close to the median.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,620 | $14.72 |
| 25th percentile | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Median | $52,380 | $25.18 |
| 75th percentile | $52,430 | $25.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,280 | $36.67 |
| Average (mean) | $50,230 | $24.15 |
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 | $4,365 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,182.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,014.62 |
| Weekly | $1,007.31 |
| Hourly | $25.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $56,410 | $27.12 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,340 | $27.09 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $350,950 | — |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,470 | $16.57 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Kentucky is $52,380 a year, or $25.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Kentucky earn at least $76,280 a year. The top 25% earn $52,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,620 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $34,440 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Kentucky?
About 110 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.