Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in North Carolina
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in North Carolina earn a median of $58,930 a year ($28.33 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $52,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,220 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $78,000. North Carolina ranks 31st of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. The average (mean) salary is $68,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| 25th percentile | $52,050 | $25.03 |
| Median | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| 75th percentile | $80,570 | $38.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,220 | $44.34 |
| Average (mean) | $68,070 | $32.73 |
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 | $4,910.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,455.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,266.54 |
| Weekly | $1,133.27 |
| Hourly | $28.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $54,810 | $26.35 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $44,670 | $21.48 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in North Carolina is $58,930 a year, or $28.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in North Carolina earn at least $92,220 a year. The top 25% earn $80,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,040 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $52,050 or less.