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Railroad Conductor Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

No prior railroad experience is required-we provide all the training you need to succeed. What You ... Conductor Trainees earn a minimum of $200 per shift during on-the-job training, with overtime at ...

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How much do railroad conductor trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for railroad conductor trainee in the United States is $21.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Railroad Conductor Trainee job?

A Railroad Conductor Trainee is an entry-level position where individuals learn to operate trains, manage railcar movement, and ensure safety procedures are followed. Trainees work under experienced conductors, assisting with switching, coupling, and inspecting railcars. The role involves outdoor work in various weather conditions and irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Successful completion of the training program can lead to a full-time railroad conductor position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Railroad Conductor Trainee position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Railroad Conductor Trainee, you need strong attention to detail, physical stamina, and a high school diploma or equivalent as a foundation. Familiarity with train operation protocols, safety procedures, and sometimes certification in railroad operations or rules (like FRA certification) is often required. Excellent communication, situational awareness, and the ability to work well under pressure are key soft skills for this position. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure the safe, efficient, and coordinated movement of trains and crews.

What should I expect during the training period as a Railroad Conductor Trainee?

As a Railroad Conductor Trainee, you can expect a comprehensive training program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on, on-the-job experience under the guidance of experienced conductors. Training typically covers topics such as safety regulations, operating procedures, emergency response, and the proper use of signaling equipment. You will participate in field exercises, shadow seasoned professionals, and be evaluated on your ability to communicate effectively and make critical decisions in a dynamic environment. This period is essential for building a solid understanding of railroad operations and prepares you for greater responsibility as you progress toward becoming a certified conductor.
What cities are hiring for Railroad Conductor Trainee jobs? Cities with the most Railroad Conductor Trainee job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Railroad Conductor jobs? The most popular types of Railroad Conductor jobs are:
What states have the most Railroad Conductor Trainee jobs? States with the most job openings for Railroad Conductor Trainee jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Railroad Conductor Trainee jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Railroad Conductor Trainee jobs are:
Infographic showing various Railroad Conductor Trainee job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 95% Physical, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $43,990 per year, or $21.1 per hour.
Birmingham, AL Train Conductor

Birmingham, AL Train Conductor

Norfolk Southern Corp.

Birmingham, AL โ€ข On-site

$84K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Descriptionย 

At Norfolk Southern, we believe that ourย peopleย powerย progress. Our culture is built on our SPIRIT values-Safety, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork-which guide how we work, lead, and grow together. Ifย you'reย ready to be part of a dynamic team and contribute to one of the nation's premier transportation companies, we invite you to explore theย conductorย role.ย 

Conductorsย are responsible forย the safe and efficient movement of freight trains. This includes building trains by coupling railcars, delivering railcars to customers, transporting trains across long distances, and managing electronic documentation and inspections.ย You'llย be trained to troubleshoot train issues, report incidents, and ensure compliance with safety procedures. No prior railroad experience isย required-we provide all the training you need to succeed.ย 

ย 

What You Should Knowย 

  • This is aย seniority-based job.ย You'llย start out on the extra board, filling in where needed, until you build enough seniority to bid on a regular assignment.ย 

  • You must be available to workย on-call, 24/7, with as little asย 90 minutes' notice.ย 

  • Expect to spendย 2-3ย days away from home weekly.ย 

  • You willย be requiredย to join a union withinย 60 daysย after completing training.ย 

Trainingย 

On the job training lasts aboutย 20ย weeks, depending on the complexity of your assignedย location,ย this training can go beyondย 20ย weeks.ย Trainingย includes classroom instruction, field training, and on-the-job experience. The first 5 weeks take place at the Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, GA. During this time, the company providesย hotelย accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement from your hire location. The remaining weeks of training will be completed at your assigned location.ย 

To successfully complete the program and earn your promotion and certification, you must pass all classroom, field, and on-the-job requirements. This includes written exams and field evaluations covering physical characteristics, operating rules, safety, hazmat, and signal rules.ย 

ย 

Job Responsibilitiesย 

  • Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment for safe operation.ย 

  • Operate remote control locomotives and perform tasks such as coupling, aligning drawbars, applying hand brakes, and riding railcars.ย 

  • Communicate effectively with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers.ย 

  • Maintainย accurateย documentation andย comply withย all FRA and company safety regulations.ย 

  • Performย additionalย duties as assigned.ย 

  • Additionalย information about roles andย responsibilitiesย are detailed in this video:ย https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZdUABU2g_kย 

Qualifications - Requiredย 

  • Mustย be 18 years or older.ย 

  • Must hold a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation.ย 

  • Ability to report to work withinย 90 minutes.ย 

  • Clean driving record in the pastย 36 months, without any suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial of your driver's license resulting from a drug or alcohol-related incident.ย 

  • Must notย have been involved in diversion or probation or pleaded guilty to a drug or alcohol-related driving incident.ย 

  • Must notย have refused to undergo a drug or alcohol test related to the operation of a motor vehicle.ย 

  • Must pass pre-employment Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) drug and alcohol screening.ย 

  • Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.ย 

Qualifications - Preferredย 

  • Experience working outdoors in various weather conditions.ย 

  • Experience with heavy equipment or in physically demanding roles.ย 

  • Experience working non-traditional shifts, on call, and/or 12+ hour shifts.ย 

ย 

Physical and Mental Job Requirementsย 

  • Ability to lift and carry up to 85 lbs.ย 

  • Must pass physical standards which may include but are not limited to:ย 

  • Hang Testย 

    • Ability to hang from a rail car ladder with 3 points of contact (2 feet & 1 hand) for 1 minute 15 seconds per side.ย 

    • Ability to walk up to several miles per shift on uneven terrain.ย 

  • Ability to meet FRA medical requirements:ย 

    • Visual acuity (at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both together withย orย without corrective lenses).ย 

    • Color vision-ability to pass specific FRA color vision tests (lenses used to improve color vision are notย permitted).ย 

    • Hearing-no hearing loss greater than 40B average, at 500, 1000, and 2000 in better ear (can be met with hearing aid).ย 

Work Conditionsย 

  • Work outdoors in all weather conditions.ย 

  • Irregular schedules, including on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.ย 

  • Must be available for call 24/7.ย 

  • This is a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness while working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.ย 

Compensation and Benefitsย 

  • Conductor Trainees earn a minimum of $200 per shift during on-the-job training, with overtime at $25/hour.ย 

  • First-year conductors average $70,000 annually; experienced conductors average $84,000.ย 

  • Locomotive engineers earn a guaranteed minimum of $94,000, with potential to exceed $100,000.ย 

  • Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents begins the second calendar month of employment.ย 

  • After one year: dental, life insurance, and 401(k) eligibility.ย 

  • Covered under Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes.ย 

  • Vacation Eligibility:ย 

Years of Serviceย 

Vacation*ย 

1ย 

1ย 

2ย 

2ย 

8ย 

3ย 

17ย 

4ย 

25ย 

5ย 

*mustย meet qualifying days minimumย 

Company Overview

Norfolk Southern Corporationย (NYSE: NSC) is a Fortune 300 organization and one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500ย route milesย in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern is a major transporter of industrial products, including chemicals, agriculture, and metals and construction materials. In addition, the railroad operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a principal carrier ofย coal, automobiles, and automotive parts.

At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.