As of June 2026, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters has an AI-exposure score of 56/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
AI Exposure Score for
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
56/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High
More exposed than 53% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$78,000. About 3,100 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
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How you compare to similar Transportation roles
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters (you)
56
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
57
Light Truck Drivers
57
Stockers and Order Fillers
54
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
58
Locomotive Engineers
54
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Your tasks, by AI exposure
Automatable
- Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
- Record departure and arrival times, messages, tickets and revenue collected, and passenger accommodations and destinations.
- Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
- Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.
- Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.
- Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
- Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
- Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
- Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
- Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.
- Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.
Augmentable
- Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
- Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time.
- Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
- Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers.
- Supervise and coordinate crew activities to transport freight and passengers and to provide boarding, porter, maid, and meal services to passengers.
- Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- Inspect each car periodically during runs.
Durable
- Supervise workers in the inspection and maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure efficient and safe train operation.
Safer adjacent roles
YOUR ROLE TODAY
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters 56→
Locomotive Engineers
54
80% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$81,410
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
46
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$68,840
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
49
64% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$60,600
Subway and Streetcar Operators
51
56% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$86,380
First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
68
48% skills overlap · High exposure
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
75
40% skills overlap · Very High exposure · ~US$50,340
Air Traffic Controllers
63
40% skills overlap · High exposure · ~US$148,080
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
51
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$92,100
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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.