Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in West Virginia
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in West Virginia earn a median of $55,180 a year ($26.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,330 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $78,000. West Virginia ranks 32nd of 33 states for railroad conductors and yardmasters pay. There are 0.46 railroad conductors and yardmasters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| 25th percentile | $55,160 | $26.52 |
| Median | $55,180 | $26.53 |
| 75th percentile | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,330 | $47.76 |
| Average (mean) | $65,470 | $31.48 |
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 | $4,598.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,299.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,122.31 |
| Weekly | $1,061.15 |
| Hourly | $26.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia 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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $91,380 | $43.93 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,990 | $17.79 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $33,360 | $16.04 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $35,840 | $17.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in West Virginia is $55,180 a year, or $26.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid railroad conductors and yardmasters make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of railroad conductors and yardmasters in West Virginia earn at least $99,330 a year. The top 25% earn $76,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,570 a year, and a quarter of railroad conductors and yardmasters earn $55,160 or less.
How many railroad conductors and yardmasters work in West Virginia?
About 320 railroad conductors and yardmasters are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.