Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in New York
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in New York earn a median of $80,000 a year ($38.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,770 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,000. New York ranks 6th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.72 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,610 | $31.54 |
| 25th percentile | $78,970 | $37.96 |
| Median | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| 75th percentile | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,770 | $52.78 |
| Average (mean) | $86,720 | $41.69 |
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 | $6,666.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,333.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,076.92 |
| Weekly | $1,538.46 |
| Hourly | $38.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $80,000 | 3,800 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $109,220 | $52.51 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $83,530 | $40.16 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,730 | $20.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $84,480 | $40.61 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in New York is $80,000 a year, or $38.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in New York?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in New York earn at least $109,770 a year. The top 25% earn $105,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,610 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $78,970 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in New York?
About 6,980 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.