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

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

Jun 7, 2018

Worst company ever

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

there are no pros to this crap company

Cons

Managment needs to be cleaned out and redone Stay away from this company they dont give a crap about the employees team mates that is a JOKE

Watco Companies Response

8y

If you'd like to discuss any specific concerns that you experienced, please feel free to reach out to me at rpeterson@watcocompanies.com.

5.0

Oct 25, 2017

Operator

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great general manager,great hours,and most of all great people to work with. For this low of money you at least got to like the people you work with.

Cons

Low low wages, horrible insurance,vacation time is below the average,and doesn’t want to negotiate a union contract. Should have been done months ago. But they set up meetings and cancel.

Watco Companies Response

8y

Thank you for your feedback. When we get feedback from our team, we definitely use it to improve. As you said, our most valuable asset is our team. If you'd like to talk through any of your improvement ideas, feel free to email at rpeterson@watcocompanies.com.

1.0

Sep 25, 2017

Very poor company

Conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Work is steady. Good co-workers. Railroad retirement. 401K is really good. Plenty of overtime. That's really it I'm struggling to find enough for word requirements.

Cons

Single handily the very worst company to work for. They don't value their "team members". The working conditions are so bad it's borderline humorous. The pay is less than mediocre. You can go to any other railroad and almost double your wages, however that won't stop them from bragging about the enormous profit margins every quarter. But instead of reinventing 10% of profits back into the property they will purchase another property so they can run it in the ground. 180% turnaround on employment and no one raises an eyebrow. There is not enough time in the day to explain how horrible this company is.

Watco Companies Response

8y

If you would be willing to discuss, please reach out to me at rpeterson@watcocompanies.com. We work each day to get better, so any further feedback would be appreciated.

Viewing 22 - 24 of 286 Reviews

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Jobs at Watco Companies

Switchman - McIntosh, AL

Sprinter Van or Box Truck Delivery Driver (Independent Contractor)

Memphis, TN

View job

Deckhand - New Johnsonville, TN

Switchman - Sheridan, WY

Dispatcher - Wichita, KS

Watco Companies

Watco Companies reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Worst company ever

Operator

Very poor company

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