How much does a railroad conductor and yardmaster make in Chicago?
$96,120a year
Median yearly pay for railroad conductor and yardmasters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $46.21 an hour or $8,010 a month.
- Hourly
- $46.21
- Vs. national median
- +23%
- Rank among cities
- 1 of 7
- Jobs in the area
- 80
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $59,260Median: $96,120Highest 10%: $96,120
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,260 | $28.49 | |
| 25th | $87,130 | $41.89 | |
| Median | $96,120 | $46.21 | |
| 75th | $96,120 | $46.21 | |
| 90th | $96,120 | $46.21 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for railroad conductor and yardmasters.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor | $70,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a railroad conductor and yardmaster make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $46.21 ($96,120 a year).
Do railroad conductor and yardmasters make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $96,120 against $78,000 nationally, 23% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $79,820, so Chicago pays 20% more.
Where does Chicago rank for railroad conductor and yardmaster pay?
1 of 7 metro areas with data.
How much does a railroad conductor and yardmaster make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $59,260 or less a year; the top 10% make $96,120 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.