Best Railroads to Work for in 2023: Best paying Jobs in the Industry
Selecting the right employer is essential for career success and job satisfaction. The railroad industry has several unique factors, such as safety records, job stability, and work-life balance. This article will highlight the best railroads to work for in 2023 based on employee satisfaction scores, safety records, and benefits packages.
Factors to Consider When Hiring an Employer in the Railroad Industry
When selecting an employer in this industry, there are several things you should take into account: Experience level;
Ability and willingness to relocate frequently.
Before we take a closer look at the list of the best railroads to work for, let’s take some time to discuss some important factors that should be considered when selecting an employer in this industry.
Safety Record
Railroad workers face a range of hazards, such as moving trains, heavy equipment, and hazardous materials. Therefore, selecting an employer with an excellent safety record is essential to reduce the chances of workplace accidents or injuries.
Job Stability
The railroad industry is susceptible to economic fluctuations, and layoffs are common during slow times. To ensure job security in this competitive environment, it’s essential that you select an employer with a stable financial position and proven ability to retain employees even during difficult times.
Work-Life Balance
Railroad workers often work long and irregular hours, making it difficult to strike a healthy work-life balance. To achieve this balance, select an employer who values work-life balance and offers adequate time off or flexible scheduling options.
2023: The Best Railroads to Work For
According to employee satisfaction, safety record, and benefits offered, here are the top railroads to work for in 2023:
1. BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s largest freight railroad networks, boasting 32,500 miles of track and 42,000 employees. The company’s strong safety culture ensures employees enjoy a secure working environment.
BNSF boasts an impressive safety record and competitive pay and benefits packages such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Furthermore, the company values diversity and inclusion by creating employee resource groups to assist underrepresented groups.
2. Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad is one of North America’s largest freight railroad networks, boasting 32,000 miles of track and 37,000 employees. As a result, the company prioritized safety, striving for zero accidents or injuries.
Union Pacific provides competitive pay and benefits packages like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Furthermore, the company values employee development by offering opportunities for career advancement and continuing education.
3. Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway operates a freight railroad network throughout the eastern United States, boasting 19,500 miles of track and 22,000 employees. The company’s exemplary safety culture provides its employees a secure working environment.
Norfolk Southern offers competitive pay and benefits packages like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Furthermore, the company emphasizes employee development by offering opportunities for career advancement and continuing education.
4. Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway is a transcontinental freight railroad network in Canada and the United States, boasting 12,500 miles of track and 12,000 employees. The company boasts an impressive safety record, committed to providing its employees with a secure working environment.
Canadian Pacific offers competitive salaries and benefits packages like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Furthermore, the company emphasizes employee development by providing chances for career advancement and continuing education.
5. CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation is a freight railroad network in the eastern United States with over 21,000 miles of track. The company has a unique safety culture and strives to create a secure working environment for its employees. In addition, they offer competitive pay and benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
CSX Transportation dramatically values diversity and inclusion, maintaining several employee resource groups that advocate for underrepresented groups. Furthermore, the company offers opportunities for career advancement and continuing education.
6. Kansas City Southern Railway
Kansas City Southern Railway operates a freight railroad network throughout central and southern America, boasting over 6,00 miles of track and employing over 7,000 personnel. The company’s unwavering safety culture ensures employees enjoy a secure working environment.
Kansas City Southern Railway provides competitive pay and benefits packages like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Furthermore, the company emphasizes employee development by offering opportunities for career advancement and continuing education.
7. Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway is a transcontinental freight railroad network in Canada and the United States with over 19,600 miles of track and 25,000 employees. The company boasts an impressive safety record and strives to create a secure working environment for its personnel.
Canadian National Railway offers competitive pay and benefits packages like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Furthermore, the company emphasizes diversity and inclusion with several employee resource groups that assist underrepresented groups.
8. Genesee & Wyoming
Genesee & Wyoming is a North American short-line and regional freight railroad network with over 118 freight railroads and over 8,000 employees. The company has an exemplary safety culture and is dedicated to providing its employees with a secure working environment.
Genesee & Wyoming also provides competitive pay and benefits packages like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Furthermore, the company values employee development by offering opportunities for career advancement and continuing education.
Case Studies
To give you a better insight into working for these premier railroads, let us take a closer look at some case studies of employees at each company.
John has been employed by BNSF Railway for 15 years as a locomotive engineer. He enjoys working for BNSF because of its excellent safety culture and dedication to employee development. John has received several promotions during this time at BNSF and feels valued and supported by coworkers and supervisors.
Liz is a conductor for Union Pacific Railroad and has been with the company for 8 years. She appreciates their emphasis on safety and feels confident in her ability to do her job safely. Additionally, Union Pacific provides its employees ample career advancement opportunities and continuing education courses.
Mark has been employed at Norfolk Southern Railway for 12 years and enjoys working there due to the company’s value of employees and supportive work environment. Additionally, Mark values their commitment to employee development – taking advantage of numerous training and continuing education opportunities offered by Norfolk Southern.
Emily is a locomotive mechanic for Canadian Pacific Railway and has been with the company for 4 years. She enjoys working there due to its strong safety culture and dedication to employee development. Additionally, Emily values their commitment to diversity and inclusion and all of their coworkers’ and supervisors’ support.
Michael works as a trainmaster for CSX Transportation and has been with the company for 18 years. He appreciates its safety focus, career advancement opportunities, and continuing education initiatives. Furthermore, Michael appreciates all of the support from coworkers and supervisors, making CSX Transportation an exemplary workplace.
Sarah has been a Kansas City Southern Railway train dispatcher for 6 years. She loves working here due to the company’s dedication to safety and employee development. Furthermore, Sarah appreciates Kansas City Southern’s diverse and inclusive culture and access to colleagues through employee resource groups.
Alexis has been a conductor at Genesee & Wyoming for three years. She values their commitment to safety and the company’s opportunities for career advancement and continuing education. Furthermore, Alexis appreciates the company’s supportive work environment and the relationships she’s built with coworkers.
Best paying Jobs in the Railroad Industry in 2023
Are you considering a career in the railroad industry and wondering which jobs offer the highest wages? Well, here is our list of some of the highest-paying positions within this field, along with their average salaries:
Locomotive Engineer
Locomotive engineers are accountable for operating trains and ensuring they run safely and efficiently. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for locomotive engineers in the United States is $68,950 annually.
Railroad Conductor
Railroad conductors are accountable for coordinating train movements and ensuring they run on schedule. Additionally, they supervise their crew members’ work and are accountable for the safety of passengers and cargo on board. On average, railroad conductors earn $64,880 annually in the United States.
Railroad Yardmasters
Railroad yardmasters are accountable for organizing train movements within yards, ensuring that trains are assembled and disassembled safely and efficiently, and supervising yard workers and switch operators. On average, salaries for railroad yardmasters in America hover around $64,040 annually.
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
Brake, signal and switch operators operate and maintain the brakes, signals, and switches on trains. Furthermore, they guarantee that trains are assembled and disassembled safely and efficiently. In America, salaries for brake signal and switch operators come to $54,760 annually.
Railroad Transportation Workers
Railroad transportation workers are accountable for operating and maintaining railroad equipment and machinery and performing maintenance and repair work on trains and tracks. Railroad transportation workers in the United States earn $53,020 yearly on average.
It is essential to remember that these salaries are only averages and may vary based on factors like location, experience, and company size. Furthermore, working in the railroad industry can be demanding, with extended hours and potentially hazardous working conditions. But if you’re passionate about transportation and logistics, working in this field could prove a rewarding and profitable career choice.
Conclusion
Suppose you’re thinking about a career in the railroad industry. In that case, these top railroads offer competitive pay and benefits packages, an unwavering commitment to safety, and numerous chances for career advancement and continuing education. So if you’re considering joining one of these great organizations, take note: these top railroads truly make great places to work!
However, remember that working in the railroad industry can be a demanding career choice with long hours and potentially hazardous working conditions. Therefore, carefully weigh all pros and cons before considering a career here.
If you’re passionate about transportation and logistics and want to be part of an ever-evolving industry, working for one of these top railroads could be a great choice. Their vibrant safety culture, dedication to employee development programs, and supportive work environments will give you all the necessary tools for success in your career.
