Also called: Yard Supervisor, Hump Yard Master
Directs all the train switching in a rail yard, deciding how cars get sorted into new trains.
From a tower overlooking dozens of tracks, you plan which cars go to which outbound train and radio switch crews. At a hump yard, cars roll down a hill and get automatically sorted onto tracks.
Railroad pay is often by the trip or hour with significant overtime; figures approximate BLS railroad occupation data.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 5 years after high school. Usually promoted from conductor after years of experience.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). Slow growth.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI yard-planning tools decide car sorting; yardmasters still run the yard, but fewer as yards automate.
Classes: Algebra II, Geography.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-4031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.