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 and vacation package" ((in 26 reviews)); "Some really good people to learn about the work" ((in 17 reviews)); "Railroad retirement" ((in 8 reviews)); "They actually care about ALL team members" ((in 7 reviews)); "When there is no barges then it's laid back in the shade doing nothing easy money and the crew are all good guys that got each other's backs" ((in 7 reviews))

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

"Shift work and bad management" ((in 26 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 7 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

Watco Companies reviews

3.5

66% would recommend to a friend

(286 total reviews)

Dan Smith

77% approve of CEO

61% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (286 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

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).

Reviews by job title

286 reviews

5.0

Sep 17, 2023

Solid Company to work for

Locomotive engineer/conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

With my experience at WATCO they definitely care about you and your success. I've had hard times while working for WATCO and my manager has been more than helpful and understanding. I put in the hard work to climb up the ladder and the company saw that and moved me up to a higher position quick

Cons

The only downside for me is at the site I work at. It has a very high turnover rate. It is more so because a lot of the people that hire on haven't had a job that requires a lot of physical and mental labor.

Watco Companies Response

2y

Thanks for sharing your feedback. It's good to see that you're receiving support from your local management team.

3.0

Aug 10, 2023

Not the worst

Conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Enjoy co workers and the job itself.

Cons

Hours can be long some days.

Watco Companies Response

2y

Appreciate the feedback and it's great to hear that you enjoy the team around you.

1.0

Aug 1, 2023

the single worst job I have ever had

Train yard

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

they give you money at least

Cons

the single worst job. I have ever had in my entire life. It the only job where I have been yelled at for not walking to the bathroom fast enough (and I was in the military for 16 years) . My supervisor would threaten to fire through-out the day. This is the only job I didn't give a two weeks notice to when I quit.

Watco Companies Response

2y

If you'd ever be interested in sharing more about your concerns, please reach out (rpeterson@watco.com). I'm not certain what Watco location that you were a part of based on the provided information, but would like to understand your concerns to help us continue to improve.

Viewing 139 - 141 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

Watco Companies

Watco Companies reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Solid Company to work for

Not the worst

the single worst job I have ever had

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Watco Companies