Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay in California
In California, the median pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters is $33.63 an hour ($69,950 a year). About 1,500 people work in this job there.
That is 10% lower than the U.S. median ($78,000). California ranks 20th of 33 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for railroad conductors and yardmasters in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $33.28 | $69,230 |
| 25% of workers | $33.28 | $69,230 |
| Half of workers (median) | $33.63 | $69,950 |
| 75% of workers | $37.32 | $77,630 |
| 90% of workers | $54.65 | $113,680 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for railroad conductors and yardmasters
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.9% over ten years, little or no change · about 3,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $52,350 |
| Air Traffic Controllers | $160,080 |
| Transportation Inspectors | $83,000 |
| Airfield Operations Specialists | $62,600 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $77,070 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,530 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $58,770 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $78,680 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.