Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in Memphis, TN-MS-AR make a median of $46,380 a year, or about $22.3 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $47K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.18), which stretches that salary to about $50,315 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,274/month — about 38.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $46K get you in Memphis?
About railroad conductors and yardmasters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Entry-level railroad conductors and yardmasters (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K.Top earners bring in $47K or more - a $12K 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 Memphis numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do railroad conductors and yardmasters make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median is $46,380 a year - that works out to about $22.3 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,960, and experienced railroad conductors and yardmasters can clear $46,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in Memphis?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,275/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,274/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 38.9% 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 Memphis?
Memphis has a Regional Price Parity of 92.18 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median railroad conductors and yardmasters salary is worth about $50,315 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.