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Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$79,820
Median Annual Salary
▲
+5.1% vs 2024
$89,110
Mean Salary
$79,820
Median Salary
$38.38
Hourly Rate
2,790 people work as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois earn a median salary of $79,820 per year ($6,651/month).
This is 9.2% above the national average of $73,115.
Illinois ranks #8 out of 33 states for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay.
Approximately 2,790 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries increased by 5.1% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.75
Monitoring
3.75
Coordination
3.75
Critical Thinking
3.62
Active Listening
3.5
Key Knowledge Areas
Public Safety and Security
3.98
Transportation
3.95
English Language
3.46
Education and Training
3.11
Law and Government
3.01
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(85.6% of workers)
Salary Range: Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois
Salaries for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois range from $63,290 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $134,440 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $76,980 and $96,120.
Median $79,820
P10: $63,290P25: $76,980P75: $96,120P90: $134,440
10th
$63,290
25th
$76,980
Median
$79,820
75th
$96,120
90th
$134,440
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$63,290
$30.43
$5,274
25th Percentile
$76,980
$37.01
$6,415
Median (50th)
$79,820
$38.38
$6,651
75th Percentile
$96,120
$46.21
$8,010
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$134,440
$64.63
$11,203
Note: The mean (average) salary of $89,110 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#8
Illinois ranks #8 of 33 states
$73,115
National avg. for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in Illinois?
The median annual salary for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois is $79,820 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $89,110.
What is the salary range for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois?
Salaries for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois range from $63,290 at the 10th percentile to $134,440 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $76,980 and $96,120.
What is the starting salary for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois?
Entry-level Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters positions in Illinois typically start around $63,290 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $76,980 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,790 people are employed as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois is approximately $38.38 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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