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.
At a Glance
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earns a median of $74,080/yr with +1.1% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook.
$74,080/yr
+1.1%
3
High school diploma or equivalent
Skills & Requirements
Skills (10)
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Knowledge (3)
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Abilities (12)
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Technology (5)
Work Activities (12)
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Work Styles (2)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Office and Administrative Support · 188 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Management · 188 shared skills
Loss Prevention Managers
Management · 188 shared skills
Floral Designers
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media · 188 shared skills
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · 188 shared skills
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
Production · 188 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Construction and Extraction · 188 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance · 188 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to build these skills?
Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters.
Get Started Free