Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary in Illinois
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Illinois make a median of $75,970 a year, or about $36.52 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $76K get you in Illinois?
About railroad conductors and yardmasters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level railroad conductors and yardmasters (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K.Top earners bring in $97K or more - a $40K 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 Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Illinois?
The median is $75,970 a year - that works out to about $36.52 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,760, and experienced railroad conductors and yardmasters can clear $97,260. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,839/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 24.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a railroad conductors and yardmasters salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median railroad conductors and yardmasters salary is worth about $75,970 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.