Career comparison
Locomotive Engineer vs. Railroad Conductor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Locomotive engineers earn more at the median ($81,410 vs. $78,000), while railroad conductors usually get to work faster (3–6 months of railroad training of training). Locomotive engineers operate freight and passenger trains safely across the rail network. Railroad conductors lead train crews, manage paperwork and switch cars in yards and on the road.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Locomotive Engineer | Railroad Conductor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $81,410 ($39.14/hr) | $78,000 ($37.50/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $60,680 – $109,220 | $58,740 – $109,770 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.5% (little or no change) | +0.9% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 2,000 | 3,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–2 years including conductor time | 3–6 months of railroad training |
| Key credential | FRA locomotive engineer certification | FRA conductor certification |
| Work setting | Engineers work in locomotive cabs in all weather, day and night. | Conductors work outdoors in rail yards and along tracks in all weather, walking on ballast and climbing on equipment, as well as in locomotive cabs.. |
What each job does
Locomotive Engineer
- Inspect locomotives and equipment before departure
- Perform and verify air brake tests
- Operate throttle, dynamic and air brakes
- Follow signals, speed limits and track authorities
- Communicate with dispatchers and the conductor
Railroad Conductor
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve travel, high responsibility, shift work, and high-pay. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose locomotive engineer if…
- I can concentrate for many hours
- I’m comfortable with irregular schedules
- I like operating big machines
Choose railroad conductor if…
- I like working outdoors
- I can handle irregular schedules
- I follow rules carefully
Still torn? Take the Locomotive Engineer fit quiz and the Railroad Conductor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, locomotive engineer or railroad conductor?
Locomotive Engineers earn more at the median: $81,410 versus $78,000 for railroad conductors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Railroad Conductors typically train faster (3–6 months of railroad training) than locomotive engineers (1–2 years including conductor time).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects railroad conductors to grow +0.9% from 2025–35, compared with +0.5% for locomotive engineers.