Occupations/53-4031.00
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
46%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
64%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
61%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- Mostly routine
Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
- Mostly human
Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- 02Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
- 03Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
- 04Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- 05Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
- 06Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.68
- Degree of automation2.21
- Time sitting3.91
- Originality (ability)2.62
- Conflict situations3.09
- Hands-on objects/tools3.15
- Outdoors / weather4.70
- Disease exposure1.60
- Decision freedom3.84
Top abilities
- Oral Expression4.00
- Problem Sensitivity3.88
- Oral Comprehension3.88
- Speech Recognition3.62
- Speech Clarity3.62
- Near Vision3.62
- Far Vision3.62
- Information Ordering3.50
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.12
- Active Listening3.50
- Writing3.00
- Speaking3.75
- Mathematics2.25
- Science1.50
- Critical Thinking3.62
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.75
- Monitoring3.75
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
2 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Railroad and Railway Transportation 49.0208 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Railroad and Railway Transportation 49.0208 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |