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Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary in South Dakota
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in South Dakota?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$62,730
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.4% vs 2024
$61,410
Mean Salary
$62,730
Median Salary
$30.16
Hourly Rate
90 people work as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary by percentile in South Dakota
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota earn a median salary of $62,730 per year ($5,227/month).
This is 14.2% below the national average of $73,115.
South Dakota ranks #27 out of 33 states for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay.
Approximately 90 people work in this occupation across South Dakota.
Salaries increased by 1.4% 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 South Dakota
Salaries for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota range from $46,320 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $80,580 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $62,730 and $62,980.
Median $62,730
P10: $46,320P25: $62,730P75: $62,980P90: $80,580
10th
$46,320
25th
$62,730
Median
$62,730
75th
$62,980
90th
$80,580
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$46,320
$22.27
$3,860
25th Percentile
$62,730
$30.16
$5,227
Median (50th)
$62,730
$30.16
$5,227
75th Percentile
$62,980
$30.28
$5,248
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$80,580
$38.74
$6,715
Note: The mean (average) salary of $61,410 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#27
South Dakota ranks #27 of 33 states
$73,115
National avg. for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
How much do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters make in South Dakota?
The median annual salary for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota is $62,730 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $61,410.
What is the salary range for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota?
Salaries for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota range from $46,320 at the 10th percentile to $80,580 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $62,730 and $62,980.
What is the starting salary for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota?
Entry-level Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters positions in South Dakota typically start around $46,320 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $62,730 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 90 people are employed as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota.
What is the hourly rate for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in South Dakota is approximately $30.16 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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