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Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters Salary in SD

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in SD have a median annual salary of $62,730, with 90 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $46,320 at the 10th percentile to $80,580 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$62,730

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$30.16

Employment

90

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$46,320
10th
$62,730
25th
$62,730
Median
$62,980
75th
$80,580
90th

Local compared with national

SD

$62,730

Median annual · 2025

United States

$78,000

Median annual · 2025

The SD median is 19.6% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $15,270).

Top skills

  1. 1.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  2. 2.MonitoringImportance 3.8
  3. 3.CoordinationImportance 3.8
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.6
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.5
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.5
  7. 7.Time ManagementImportance 3.5
  8. 8.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.4
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.3
  10. 10.Operation and ControlImportance 3.3
  11. 11.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  12. 12.WritingImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Automated equipment identification AEI software
  • Bourque Data Systems YardMaster
  • Freight reservation software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Positive train control PTC systems
  • RailComm DocYard
  • SAIC government services and IT support software
  • Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System
  • Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager

Common tasks

  • Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
  • 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.
  • Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
  • Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
  • Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.
  • Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.
  • Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
  • Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
  • Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters salary in other locations

Other occupations in SD