Does Watco Companies pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Watco Companies employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.4 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Watco Companies. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Watco Companies?

66% of Watco Companies employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Watco Companies 3.5 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.5 for culture and values and 3.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Watco Companies?

Railroad Conductor (12) , Conductor (10) , Operator (10) , Manager (9) , Engineer (6) , Switchman (6) , Customer Service Representative (5) , Account Manager (4) , Locomotive Engineer (4) , Locomotive Engineer/Conductor (4) , Safety Manager (3) , Supervisor (3) , Account and Administrative Coordinator (2) , Accountant (2) , Analyst (2)

What are the pros of working at Watco Companies according to real employee reviews?

"Good Benefits such as retirement" ((in 24 reviews)); "Good people to work with" ((in 21 reviews)); "They actually care about ALL team members" ((in 8 reviews)); "Railroad retirement" ((in 7 reviews)); "•decent money" ((in 7 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Watco Companies according to real employee reviews?

"Poor management more concerned about whose butt to kiss then actually managing crews." ((in 25 reviews)); "Upper management has lost touch with their sites and only concerned with spending." ((in 11 reviews)); "6 different managers in the last 3 years." ((in 6 reviews)); "Long hours, but it is railroading afterall" ((in 5 reviews)); "And to top it all the pay is terrible and they will not give you a raise unless you are a senior employee." ((in 5 reviews))

What are employees saying about Watco Companies layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Watco Companies layoffs and their outlook for job security at Watco Companies in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Watco Companies locations?

Pittsburg , Houston , Overland Park , Wichita , Kansas City , Birmingham , Madison , Osceola , Springdale , Tioga , Tuscaloosa , Oklahoma City , Toledo , Baton Rouge , Ferndale , Cherryvale , Linden , Wood River , Janesville , Tulsa , Hawesville , Wright , Austin , Freeport , Belle , Whiting , Keenesburg , Minden , Fitzgerald , Newark

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Watco Companies

Watco Companies reviews

3.5

66% would recommend to a friend

(286 total reviews)

Dan Smith

77% approve of CEO

61% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.5

Culture & values

3.5

Work/Life balance

3.5

Career opportunities

3.4

Compensation and benefits

3.3

Diversity & inclusion

3.2

Senior management

Watco Companies has an employee rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on 286 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Watco Companies employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Transportation & Logistics industry (3.5 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

286 reviews

1.0

May 6, 2022

Sorry management

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good to learn the basics

Cons

Bad leadership. Bad management. When u get to the top of the ladder. There is always a fight every day. U have to fight to keep ur job. When u give advice u get scrutinized about it then it's always turned on u. As in u should have not said that. Or done that. Not a great place to call a home for a career. Just a job.

Watco Companies Response

If you'd ever be willing to discuss any ideas for improvement, feel free to email me at rpeterson@watco.com.

1.0

May 5, 2022

On the Surface

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Watco has good benefits and has supported team members outside of the norm compared to most companies, and some managers and supervisors really live the founding principles but not all.

Cons

not fair when it comes to pay or the way they treat some people...especially if different from who they like. It's not all managers, but it's enough to make you not want to work there and the heads don't seem to care to correct it. Maybe sensitivity training or a spring cleaning of bad seeds would help.

Watco Companies Response

It's important to Watco that all leaders live our Foundation Principles. If you would be willing to discuss any ideas for improvement, feel free to email me at rpeterson@watco.com.

3.0

May 3, 2022

Snakes

Conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Nothing great about working there

Cons

Buddy buddy system and rats galore

Watco Companies Response

If interested in sharing more about your experience, please email me at rpeterson@watco.com. We're always interested in learning how we can improve.

Viewing 94 - 96 of 286 Reviews

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Jobs at Watco Companies

Dispatcher - Wichita, KS

Trainmaster - Bayway Terminal Switching - Linden, NJ

Prep Crew Laborer - Toledo, OH

Student Conductor - Seadrift, TX

Traffic Coordinator - Houston, Texas