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Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Transportation and Material Moving · SOC 53-4031
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$78,000
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
3,700
Proj. Annual Openings
46,440
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%
Top Skills
1.Speaking
2.Monitoring
3.Coordination
4.Critical Thinking
5.Active Listening
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Conductor, Freight Conductor, Railroad Conductor, Train Master, Trainman, Yardmaster
Representative Tasks
- •Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- •Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
- •Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
- •Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- •Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
- •Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
- •Direct emergency management activities.
- •Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
- •Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Tools & Technologies
Microsoft Excel · hotMicrosoft PowerPoint · hotAutomated equipment identification AEI softwareBourque Data Systems YardMasterFreight reservation softwareInventory tracking softwareRailComm DocYardSAIC government services and IT support softwareSoftrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking SystemSoftrail AEI Rail & Road Manager
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
0.8%
Avg AI Exposure
6
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Outlook | Average | 24% Bright |
| Median Salary | $78,000 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |