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

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

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

2.0

Jun 12, 2014

They just don't care!

Terminal manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The people, Watco have a lot of good people working for them. I have clearly made a couple good friends there and will stay in touch!

Cons

Benefits were too costly They didn't care about their team members

2.0

Mar 25, 2014

Great place to work for a few years, don't plan on it being a career move.

Transportation manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Safety is, in fact, number one. There are no safety short cuts. Customer First Foundation Principles makes sense and have merit.

Cons

Production suffers because of strict safety policies. Safety is important. It NEEDS to be number 1. Upper management (and regional/local management) REQUIRES production to always be better, but rarely invests back in to operation to make it better. Upper management demands results, but doesn't listen to real challenges. If you don't perform, you're labeled as "disgruntled" and terminated. WATCO "bought" me after putting in 15 years of running a successful company. One year after they acquired me, upper management told me that our "visions" were too far apart. I was terminated and replaced with someone who had no experience (at a much reduced salary.) WATCO can be a GREAT place to work, and has huge potential. I wish them the best, and hope they can fix the problems, to make the entire "team's" life better.

5.0

Oct 26, 2012

Great place to work.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Secure job in a recession proof industry. Great hours and benefits. No overtime or work on holidays. Great vacation package. Good bosses. Fair pay.

Cons

It does involve outside work in all kinds of weather. Heavy work around rail cars and big machinery. Requires a great deal of physical effort .

Viewing 283 - 285 of 286 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Union Pacific

3.5★Compensation & Benefits

ALSTOM

3.5★Compensation & Benefits

BNSF Railway

3.7★Compensation & Benefits

Norfolk Southern

3.5★Compensation & Benefits

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