Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in West Virginia make a median of $55,180 a year, or about $26.53 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $61,979 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,008/month, or 27.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of West Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $55K get you in West Virginia?
About railroad conductors and yardmasters
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters in West Virginia runs about 29% below the U.S. median of $78K. Rent runs $1,008/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level railroad conductors and yardmasters (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $53K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track railroad conductors and yardmasters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a railroad conductors and yardmaster afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $55K, rent takes 27.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for railroad conductors and yardmasters in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new railroad conductors and yardmasters typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,794/month. At HUD’s $1,008/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is railroad conductors and yardmaster a high-paying job in West Virginia?
Local pay runs 29% below the national median — $55K here vs. $78K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for railroad conductors and yardmasters?
West Virginia pays $55K median vs. the U.S. average of $78K — that’s -29%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $62K — below the national median.
How much do railroad conductors and yardmasters make in West Virginia?
The median is $55,180 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,570, and experienced railroad conductors and yardmasters can clear $99,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,702/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 27.2% 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (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 $61,979 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.