Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in Washington
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Washington earn a median of $79,040 a year ($38.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,630 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $78,000. Washington ranks 10th of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.23 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $81,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,880 | $30.71 |
| 25th percentile | $63,880 | $30.71 |
| Median | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| 75th percentile | $92,400 | $44.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,630 | $58.00 |
| Average (mean) | $81,600 | $39.23 |
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 | $6,586.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,293.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,040 |
| Weekly | $1,520 |
| Hourly | $38.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,400 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for railroad conductors and yardmasters
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $85,140 | $40.93 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,760 | $31.13 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $40,070 | $19.26 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $72,280 | $34.75 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Washington is $79,040 a year, or $38.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Washington?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in Washington earn at least $120,630 a year. The top 25% earn $92,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,880 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $63,880 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in Washington?
About 810 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.