Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in South Dakota
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota earn a median of $62,730 a year ($30.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,580 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $78,000. South Dakota ranks 27th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.20 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $61,410, close to the median.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| 25th percentile | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Median | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| 75th percentile | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,580 | $38.74 |
| Average (mean) | $61,410 | $29.52 |
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 | $5,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,613.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,412.69 |
| Weekly | $1,206.35 |
| Hourly | $30.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota 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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,310 | $17.46 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in South Dakota is $62,730 a year, or $30.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in South Dakota earn at least $80,580 a year. The top 25% earn $62,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,320 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $62,730 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in South Dakota?
About 90 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.