Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 53-4031.00
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.17
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only22 rated tasks · 10 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (45.5%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 2 rated tasks are not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; their scores are kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.O*NET Task ID 10703 | 1.0 |
Record departure and arrival times, messages, tickets and revenue collected, and passenger accommodations and destinations.O*NET Task ID 10707 | 1.0 |
Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.O*NET Task ID 10691 | 0.5 |
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.O*NET Task ID 10693 | 0.5 |
Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.O*NET Task ID 10697 | 0.5 |
Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.O*NET Task ID 10698 | 0.5 |
Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.O*NET Task ID 10699 | 0.5 |
Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.O*NET Task ID 10702 | 0.5 |
Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.O*NET Task ID 10704 | 0.5 |
Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers.O*NET Task ID 10708 | 0.5 |
Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.O*NET Task ID 10690 | 0.0 |
Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.O*NET Task ID 10692 | 0.0 |
Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.O*NET Task ID 10694 | 0.0 |
Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.O*NET Task ID 10695 | 0.0 |
Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.O*NET Task ID 10696 | 0.0 |
Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.O*NET Task ID 10700 | 0.0 |
Inspect each car periodically during runs.O*NET Task ID 10701 | 0.0 |
Supervise and coordinate crew activities to transport freight and passengers and to provide boarding, porter, maid, and meal services to passengers.O*NET Task ID 10705 | 0.0 |
Supervise workers in the inspection and maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure efficient and safe train operation.O*NET Task ID 10706 | 0.0 |
Collect tickets, fares, or passes from passengers.O*NET Task ID 10709 | 0.0 |
Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time.O*NET Task ID 10710 | 0.0 |
Instruct workers to regulate air conditioning, lighting, and heating in passenger cars to ensure passengers' comfort.O*NET Task ID 10711 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (20)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals. | Core |
| Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices. | Core |
| Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic. | Core |
| 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. | Core |
| Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals. | Core |
| Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains. | Core |
| Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes. | Core |
| Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work. | Core |
| Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions. | Core |
| Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops. | Core |
| Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic. | Core |
| Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars. | Core |
| Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops. | Supplemental |
| Inspect each car periodically during runs. | Supplemental |
| Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays. | Supplemental |
| Supervise and coordinate crew activities to transport freight and passengers and to provide boarding, porter, maid, and meal services to passengers. | Supplemental |
| Supervise workers in the inspection and maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure efficient and safe train operation. | Supplemental |
| Record departure and arrival times, messages, tickets and revenue collected, and passenger accommodations and destinations. | Supplemental |
| Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers. | Supplemental |
| Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time. | Supplemental |
0.21/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals. | E2 structured facilities |
| Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains. | E0 none |
| Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops. | E0 none |
| Inspect each car periodically during runs. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 39K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 39K
- Change (2025–35)
- +0.9%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $78,000
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87120 | 철도운송 관련 종사원 | Overlapping, not the same | confirmed |
| 32212 | 철도운송 사무원 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 8312Railway Brake, Signal and Switch Operators
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Railway brakers, signallers and shunters take charge of and safeguard railway freight trains during runs, control the movement of railway traffic by operating signals, switch rolling stock and make up trains in railway yards, make up trains for hauling in mines and control their movement.
Tasks
- (a) taking charge of and safeguarding freight train during run;
- (b) controlling flow of railway traffic over section of line by operating signals and switches from control panel or signal box;
- (c) switching and coupling rolling stock in railway yards and sidings in accordance with orders about loading, unloading and make-up of trains;
- (d) making up trains for hauling by locomotive or cable and directing their movement along haulage ways in a mine or quarry;
- (e) checking train systems and equipment such as air conditioning and heating systems, brakes and brake hoses prior to train run.
Example occupations
Braker (railway) · Shunter (railway) · Signaller (railway)
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- chief conductorESCO 5112.1This occupation is broader
Chief conductors are responsible for the safe performance of all operational tasks on board of passenger trains outside the drivers cab, such as supervising safe opening and closing of the train's doors. They supervise and ensure the continuous care for the safety of passengers, especially in the case of technical incidents and emergency situations. They ensure the operational communication to the driver and to traffic control staff as defined in operational regulations. In case of several staff members attending the train, they supervise the team of conductors. They also provide commercial activities such as ticket control and selling, and provide support and information to passengers, and provide gastronomic services.
- rail traffic controllerESCO 4323.13This occupation is broader
Rail traffic controllers operate signals and points that help make sure trains run safely and on time. They operate from a signal box in order to control the order and movement of trains and ensure safety at all times. They are responsible for maintaining safety standards when trains are running normally and also in degraded or emergency operational situations.
- rail switchpersonESCO 8312.2Overlapping, not the same
Rail switchpersons assist in the tasks of the traffic controller. They operate switches and signals according to rail traffic control instructions, according to regulations and compliant with safety rules.
- train conductorESCO 5112.3Overlapping, not the same
Train conductors assist passengers in the boarding and leaving of the train. They answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and provide timetable information. They collect tickets, fares, and passes from passengers and support the chief conductor in performing his operational tasks e.g in regard to door closing or certain operational communication. They ensure the safety of passengers respond to technical incidents and emergency situations.
- train dispatcherESCO 8312.4Overlapping, not the same
Train dispatchers ensure the safe and efficient dispatch of the train services. The safety of customers is their main priority. When carrying out train dispatch duties, they check the traffic signals and communicate promptly with train drivers and conductors that it is safe for the train to pull away.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| N4404 | Chef opérateur / Cheffe opératrice des manœuvres du réseau ferré | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| N4302 | Agent / Agente de contrôle du réseau ferré | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| N4306 | Agent / Agente d'accompagnement des trains | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| N4403 | Opérateur / Opératrice ferroviaire | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 8312 | Agentes de maniobras ferroviarias | Overlapping, not the same |
| 4123 | Empleados de logística y transporte de pasajeros y mercancías | Related, not a match |
| 5822 | Revisores y cobradores de transporte terrestre | Related, not a match |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 51493 | Aufsichtskräfte - Personenverkehr (Servicebereich) | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| 51522 | Berufe in der Überwachung und Steuerung des Eisenbahnverkehrsbetriebs - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 51593 | Aufsichtskräfte - Überwachung und Steuerung des Verkehrsbetriebs | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 631 | 車掌 | Overlapping, not the same |
| 632 | 鉄道輸送関連業務従事者 | Overlapping, not the same |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources