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 22 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)); "friendly work environment" ((in 6 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 28 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 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

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

3.0

Jan 10, 2017

Customer Service

Customer service

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible, great pay, great vacation.

Cons

Double standards from management.

3.0

Dec 21, 2016

Good pay Bad schedule

Unloader/conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Get paid for 40 hours minimum no matter what. Lots of "free time"

Cons

On call 24/7 and have to be within 2 hours of getting to job site. No real set days off. Even if there is no work planned for the day you still need to be within 2 hours of getting there just in case. Minimal staffing no extra in case someone is ill or on vacation. If you need a day off you have to use vacation.

2.0

Dec 21, 2016

High turnover should tell you something.

Engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good group of guys when they actually stick around. Good way to gain experience to transfer to a real railroad.

Cons

Mamagement is completely and utterly inept. Watco does NOT practice the "Foundation Principles" it preaches; not in any way. Equipment is old and outdated. They also fancy themselves a "family company", then use your family against you during investigations if you screw up. The pay is over $25,000 per year under the big railroads. The health insurance is expensive and bad, and only getting worse. Look elsewhere.

Watco Companies Response

9y

Thank you for the information. We always want to get better, so if you'd like to provide more information to help us do that, you can email us at PeopleServices@watcocompanies.com.

Viewing 232 - 234 of 286 Reviews

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Jobs at Watco Companies

Senior SOC Analyst - Overland Park, KS / Pittsburg, KS / Lowell, AR

Deckhand - New Johnsonville, TN

Deckhand (In Port Services Only) - Ghent, KY

Switchman - McIntosh, AL

36K-65K Industrial Pipe Operator - Houston, TX

Watco Companies

Watco Companies reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Customer Service

Good pay Bad schedule

High turnover should tell you something.

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Watco Companies