Train Conductor Jobs

Train Conductor jobs are open across freight rail, passenger rail, and commuter transit, from entry-level trainee to senior conductor and road foreman, with specializations in freight operations, passenger service, and yard switching. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles30
Top stateNew York
Top employerNorfolk Southern
Top cityBuffalo, NY
Work type100% On-site
Top industryTransportation

Showing 5 of 30+ Train Conductor jobs

Jaguar Transport Holdings, LLC
Train Conductor
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Jaguar Transport Holdings, LLC
Added 3d ago
Train Conductor
Jaguar Transport Holdings, LLC
Medical Lake, Washington
Customer Service
Customer Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
$28 - $30/hr
On-Site
Conductor Certification
201-500

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T
Recreational Trackless Train Conductor for Parties and Events
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T
Added 1w ago
Recreational Trackless Train Conductor for Parties and Events
The RVA Express
Henrico, Virginia
Community & Nonprofit Services
Event Planning
Hospitality Management
$18 - $25/hr
On-Site
Seniors encouraged

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W
Train Conductor & Entertainer
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W
Added 1w ago
Train Conductor & Entertainer
Wilk Events LLC
Culver City, California
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Physical Therapy
On-Site

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Norfolk Southern
Train Conductor
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Norfolk Southern
Added 1w ago
Train Conductor
Norfolk Southern
Muncie, Indiana
Procurement & Supply Chain
Logistics & Fleet Management
$94k - $100k/yr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Norfolk Southern
Marion, IN Train Conductor
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Norfolk Southern
Added 1w ago
Marion, IN Train Conductor
Norfolk Southern
Marion, Indiana
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$94k - $100k/yr
10,000+

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See All 30 Train Conductor Jobs

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Train Conductor Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Norfolk Southern
    Norfolk Southern12
  • CPKC
    CPKC10
  • P
    Paducah & Louisville Railway2
  • Jaguar Transport Holdings
    Jaguar Transport Holdings2
  • T
    The RVA Express1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Transportation & Logistics

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in train conductor jobs.

  • Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) conductor certification or eligibility to obtain one
  • High school diploma or GED equivalent required by most railroads
  • One to three years of railroad operations or brakeman experience preferred
  • Knowledge of general code of operating rules (GCOR) or carrier-specific operating rules
  • Valid commercial driver's license (CDL) required for some combined road and yard roles
  • Ability to pass a drug and alcohol screening and background check

Tips for Your Train Conductor Job Search

Highlight your railroad certifications first

Put your Federal Railroad Administration certification, conductor qualifications, and any Class 1 railroad training at the top of your resume. Hiring managers scan for these credentials before reading anything else, so burying them in a skills section costs you interviews.

Tailor your resume to freight or passenger rail

Freight and passenger rail employers look for different experience. Freight postings emphasize car inspection, hazmat handling, and switching operations. Passenger postings prioritize customer communication and on-time performance. Match your bullet points to the specific environment you're targeting.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists train conductor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Search by railroad type, not just job title

Class 1 railroads, short-line operators, and transit authorities each post openings differently. Searching only 'train conductor' misses many listings. Try 'trainman,' 'brakeman,' 'conductor trainee,' and 'road conductor' to surface the full range of openings that match your background.

Prepare for a rules-based simulation interview

Most railroad interviews include scenario questions testing your knowledge of general code of operating rules and radio communication protocols. Review the rulebook used by your target railroad and practice explaining how you'd handle authority conflicts, signal anomalies, and emergency stops out loud.

Negotiate your run assignments, not just pay

When you get an offer, ask about the board system, seniority starting point, and whether you'll be holding a regular assignment or working extra board. These details define your schedule and income stability far more than base pay does in the first year.

Train Conductor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most train conductors?

Norfolk Southern, CPKC, and Paducah & Louisville Railway are hiring the most train conductors right now, with openings concentrated in New York, Illinois, and Iowa, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Class 1 freight railroads and regional commuter transit authorities tend to post the highest volume of conductor openings on an ongoing basis.

How many train conductor jobs are remote?

About 0% of train conductor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how hands-on the role is. The small share of remote-eligible positions typically involves training coordination, dispatch support, or operations supervision roles that carry a conductor title but don't require active train handling.

How do you become a train conductor?

Start by earning a high school diploma or GED, then apply to a railroad's conductor trainee program, which most Class 1 and regional carriers run internally. You'll complete classroom instruction in operating rules, followed by on-the-job training under a qualified conductor. After accumulating the required hours and passing your carrier's qualification exam, you earn FRA conductor certification and join the seniority roster.

Can you get hired as a train conductor with no railroad experience?

Yes, most railroads hire conductor trainees with no prior rail experience and train them from scratch. What helps you stand out is a background in safety-critical environments, such as trucking, construction, or military service, which signals you can follow strict operating rules under pressure. A clean driving record and the ability to pass a medical and drug screening are non-negotiable from day one.

What does the train conductor interview process look like?

Most railroad hiring processes start with an online application and a basic aptitude or safety-judgment assessment. Candidates who pass move to a structured panel interview focused on rules knowledge, situational judgment, and safety decision-making. A physical and drug screening follows before any offer is extended. Some carriers also conduct a review of your driving history and a background check before finalizing the offer.

Where can I find and apply to train conductor jobs?

You can find and apply to train conductor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from railroads and transit agencies across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to each listing.

See All 30 Train Conductor Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Train Conductor Jobs