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Salary comparison

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters vs. Stockers and Order Fillers: Who Earns More?

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters out-earn Stockers and Order Fillers by $41K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters land at $78,000 and Stockers and Order Fillers at $37,330. The education gap is real: railroad conductors and yardmaster programs typically require no formal educational credential, while stockers and order filler programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters is Oklahoma ($102,260); for Stockers and Order Fillers it's Washington ($44,620).

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Stockers and Order Fillers
Median salary
$78,000
$37,330
Hourly rate
$37.5/hr
$17.95/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$58,740
$30,110
Senior level (90th %)
$109,770
$49,260
Education required
No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
46,440
2,833,810
Job growth (10-year)
1.1%
8.5%
Category
Transportation
Transportation
Top-paying state
Oklahoma
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters median pay.

State
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Stockers and Order Fillers
Maryland
$83,390
$37,690
Delaware
$80,410
$37,420
New York
$80,000
$39,030
Illinois
$79,820
$37,680
Washington
$79,040
$44,620
Minnesota
$78,930
$37,120
Arizona
$78,080
$37,500
Colorado
$77,550
$42,350
California
$69,950
$42,870
Texas
$68,980
$36,840
Oregon
$68,580
$43,480
Wyoming
$68,430
$39,580
South Dakota
$62,730
$37,650
Ohio
$61,390
$37,130
Kentucky
$52,380
$36,810

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters or Stockers and Order Fillers?

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn more nationally. The median is $78,000 for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters versus $37,330 for Stockers and Order Fillers, a difference of $41K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters or Stockers and Order Fillers?

Stockers and Order Fillers has the better 10-year outlook at 8.5% projected growth, compared to 1.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters or Stockers and Order Fillers?

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters typically requires no formal educational credential. Stockers and Order Fillers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters get paid the most?

Oklahoma is the top-paying state for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters at $102,260/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters vs. Stockers and Order Fillers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn $83,390 vs. $37,690 for Stockers and Order Fillers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary breakdownView →Full Stockers and Order Fillers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Stockers and Order Fillers by take-home payExplore →How to become a railroad conductors and yardmastersGuide →How to become a stockers and order fillersGuide →