How many hours do rail workers work a week?


How many hours do rail workers work a week? Work Schedules Because trains operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, railroad workers' schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.


Is railroad retirement the best?

Employers and employees covered by the Railroad Retirement Act pay higher retirement taxes than those covered by the Social Security Act, so that railroad retirement benefits remain higher than social security benefits, especially for “career” employees who have 30 or more years of service.


What is the average age of railroad workers?

The average age of male Railroad conductors & yardmasters in the workforce is 41.6 and of female Railroad conductors & yardmasters is 44.1, and the most common race/ethnicity for Railroad conductors & yardmasters is White.


What is the highest paying railroad job?

High Paying Railroad Jobs
  • Signal Integrity Engineer. Salary range: $167,000-$167,000 per year. ...
  • Signal Processing Engineer. Salary range: $110,500-$154,000 per year. ...
  • Signal Engineer. Salary range: $86,000-$142,500 per year. ...
  • Steam Engineer. ...
  • Train Dispatcher. ...
  • Yardmaster. ...
  • Switch Technician. ...
  • Depot Manager.


Where do railroad workers sleep?

Conductors do not sleep on trains. As operating personnel they are awake for their entire shift, and can be on duty no more than 12 hours. At crew change points, they stay in hotels that the railroad has arranged for them. The same situation applies to engineers (in other countries, the “driver”).


Are railroad workers overworked?

U.S. employment in rail transportation At the same time, working conditions for the employees remaining at these railroads have deteriorated. “Even the good pay and pensions aren't worth it anymore, because they're being so overworked,” said Schuhrke.


How much were railroad workers paid?

Hourly Wage for Railroad Worker Salary in the United States The average hourly wage for a Railroad Worker in the United States is $24 as of September 25, 2023, but the range typically falls between $22 and $27.


Do railroads pay well?

The average Railroad Worker salary in the United States is $50,433 as of September 25, 2023, but the range typically falls between $45,667 and $55,223.


Is working for the railroad stressful?

The job was very stressful and required long hours. It wasn't unusual for me to work 80 hours a week. I often worked overnight, evenings, weekends and long hours. Over time, I became chronically fatigued.


Is working on trains a good job?

Freight Rail & Jobs: A Safe, Highly-compensated Workforce. As an essential component of the economy, railroading provides a dynamic work environment that provides some of the best-compensated jobs in the country.


How much is the average railroad pension?

In 2022, the average monthly Railroad Retirement Board benefit for retired rail employees was $3,210 ($4,020 for career railroad employees). The average monthly Social Security retirement benefit was about $1,776 in December 2022.


What is the best railroad company to work for?

BNSF Railway is most highly rated for Compensation and benefits and Union Pacific is most highly rated for Compensation and benefits. Learn more, read reviews and see open jobs.


Do conductors sleep on trains?

No, the conductors and engineers do not sleep on the train. They are required by federal law from working more than 12 continuous hours and the assignments are usually less. They are relieved at designated crew change points by new crews.


Do train conductors get days off?

May work nights, weekends, and holidays, since trains travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week. May work multiple shifts in one day. Choice of shift comes with seniority.


What if rail workers just quit?

Any exodus of workers would only exacerbate staffing shortages brought on by railroads laying off around 30 percent of their workforce over the past six years. That, in turn, has led to exhausted workers and persistent delays and cancellations when demand for shipped products spiked.


Do train conductors go home every night?

Ground-based conductors would have set shifts and return home every night, just as most other rail employees outside the locomotive cab do.”