Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $85,560 a year, or about $41.14 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $94K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $82,595 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 32.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $86K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About railroad conductors and yardmasters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level railroad conductors and yardmasters (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $86K.Top earners bring in $94K or more - a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $82K | +11% | 1,670 |
| Florida | $82K | +11% | 1,250 |
| Delaware | $81K | +9% | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $79K | +7% | 2,580 |
| Maryland | $78K | +6% | 280 |
| New York | $78K | +5% | 6,740 |
| Nebraska | $77K | +4% | 1,210 |
| Virginia | $77K | +4% | N/A |
| Iowa | $77K | +3% | 1,080 |
| Oklahoma | $76K | +3% | 360 |
| Montana | $76K | +3% | 120 |
| Illinois | $76K | +3% | 2,570 |
| Arizona | $74K | +0% | 400 |
| Michigan | $74K | -0% | 660 |
| South Carolina | $73K | -2% | 180 |
Track railroad conductors and yardmasters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $85,560 a year - that works out to about $41.14 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,670, and experienced railroad conductors and yardmasters can clear $94,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $86K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,362/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 33.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a railroad conductors and yardmasters salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median railroad conductors and yardmasters salary is worth about $82,595 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do railroad conductors and yardmasters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.