Career fit quiz

Is Railroad Conductor the Right Career for You?

A quick, free 8-question quiz to see how well the railroad conductor career fits your personality, preferences and goals.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How this quiz works

Rate how much you agree with each statement. The quiz compares your answers with the realities of the railroad conductor job and gives you an honest fit score in under two minutes. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Statement 1 of 8I like working outdoors
Statement 2 of 8I can handle irregular schedules
Statement 3 of 8I follow rules carefully
Statement 4 of 8I like being in charge of a crew
Statement 5 of 8I want good pay without college
Statement 6 of 8I’m comfortable around heavy equipment
Statement 7 of 8I’m willing to spend about 3–6 months of railroad training training for this career
Statement 8 of 8A typical salary around $78,000 a year would meet my needs

What this career really involves

Railroad conductors coordinate train crews, verify cars and paperwork, switch and inspect cars, communicate with dispatchers and make sure trains follow operating rules.

  • Review train paperwork and consist
  • Inspect cars and hazardous materials documentation
  • Throw switches and couple and uncouple cars
  • Communicate with dispatchers and yard crews
  • Monitor signals and authorities with the engineer

Read a full day in the life or see railroad conductor salary data.

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