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 28 reviews)); "Good people to work with" ((in 21 reviews)); "They actually care about ALL team members" ((in 7 reviews)); "Railroad retirement" ((in 6 reviews)); "friendly work environment" ((in 5 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 29 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 6 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

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

2.0

Nov 17, 2019

Miss the people, not the company

Manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great people to work with on a daily basis. Loved the work and close to home. Pay was a little less than standard, but worth it.

Cons

Upper management has lost touch with their sites and only concerned with spending. We hear them pressuring our managers about it. They visit the site maybe 2-3 times a year, but spend more time with site management instead of talking to us doing the work. You better be related to or good friends with upper management if you want to go anywhere.

Watco Companies Response

6y

It is nice to see that you worked with some great people during your time at Watco. If you would ever be willing to discuss some of your concerns/advice, please email me at rpeterson@watcocompanies.com.

2.0

Oct 30, 2019

Hope you know someone

Clerk conductor dispatcher engineer m/w carmen

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

when there's work there's plenty of it and little time to relax. As long as you have value to them as in you don't screw up, they don't outsource your job or business doesn't slow down your job safe. Hope you like pizza cuz they like buying that too make their employees feel happy and loved.

Cons

little time to spend with family, no matter what they tell you it doesn't matter because they'll say they meant something else, you never see any rules pertaining towards procedures and your seniority and such but they love claiming that that's the rule on it's always been that way AKA they make up stuff in order to do what they want when they want long as they're not violating any state or federal rules. You better be related to or good friends with upper management if you want to go anywhere

Watco Companies Response

6y

It's important to us that we continue to improve, so although you are a former team member, if you ever wish to discuss your ideas further, please email me at rpeterson@watcocompanies.com.

5.0

Oct 17, 2019

Great place to work

Commercial manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of opportunity to grow with the company locally and around the country. Strong management team that encourage team member development

Cons

No major complains from my time working here.

Watco Companies Response

6y

Thank you for taking some time to share your feedback on your experience at Watco. It's great to see that you are seeing the encouragement of team member development. As we continue to grow, we have to have great people to serve our customers. Thanks again.

Viewing 169 - 171 of 286 Reviews

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Watco Companies

Watco Companies reviews

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Miss the people, not the company

Hope you know someone

Great place to work

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