Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Tennessee
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Tennessee earn a median of $71,740 a year ($34.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,980 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $78,000. Tennessee ranks 19th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.24 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| 25th percentile | $62,190 | $29.90 |
| Median | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| 75th percentile | $73,100 | $35.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,980 | $44.70 |
| Average (mean) | $72,560 | $34.89 |
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 | $5,978.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,989.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,759.23 |
| Weekly | $1,379.62 |
| Hourly | $34.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $48,660 | $23.40 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Tennessee is $71,740 a year, or $34.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Tennessee earn at least $92,980 a year. The top 25% earn $73,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,220 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $62,190 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Tennessee?
About 790 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.