Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Minnesota
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Minnesota earn a median of $78,930 a year ($37.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,400 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $78,000. Minnesota ranks 12th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.28 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,800 | $37.89 |
| 25th percentile | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Median | $78,930 | $37.95 |
| 75th percentile | $90,560 | $43.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,400 | $43.94 |
| Average (mean) | $83,640 | $40.21 |
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 | $6,577.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,288.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,035.77 |
| Weekly | $1,517.88 |
| Hourly | $37.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota 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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $93,700 | $45.05 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $65,410 | $31.45 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $32,980 | $15.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,430 | $32.90 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,810 | $19.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Flight Attendant | $61,230 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Minnesota is $78,930 a year, or $37.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Minnesota earn at least $91,400 a year. The top 25% earn $90,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,800 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $78,830 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Minnesota?
About 830 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.