Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
SOC Code: 53-4031 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
Advertisement
Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter, SC | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Florence, SC | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Columbia, SC | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
| Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $52,770 | $69,056 | $85,322 | $101,608 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Coordination | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.5 | |
| Active Listening | 3.5 | |
| Time Management | 3.5 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.4 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.2 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Public Safety and Security | 4.0 |
| Transportation | 4.0 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Education and Training | 3.1 |
| Law and Government | 3.0 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.9 |
| Telecommunications | 2.9 |
| Mechanical | 2.9 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 85.6% |
| Some college | 8.3% |
| Associate's degree | 6.0% |
Typical Tasks
- Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
- Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
- Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
- Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
- Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
- Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Automated equipment identification AEI software Bourque Data Systems YardMaster Freight reservation software Inventory tracking software Positive train control PTC systems RailComm DocYard SAIC government services and IT support software Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager
Calculate your wage level for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters →
Advertisement
H-1B Guides & Resources
Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?
Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.