Is BNSF Railway a good company to work for?

BNSF Railway has an overall rating of 3.1 out of 5, based on over 2,635 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has increased by 1% over the last 12 months. 44% of employees would recommend working at BNSF Railway to a friend and 46% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about BNSF Railway have been left by employees working as Technology Services Intern , Transportation Intern and Management Trainee .

Does BNSF Railway pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, BNSF Railway employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.7 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at BNSF Railway. This rating has improved by 4% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at BNSF Railway?

44% of BNSF Railway employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated BNSF Railway 2.5 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.8 for culture and values and 3.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at BNSF Railway?

Railroad Conductor (277) , Locomotive Engineer (177) , Conductor (97) , Engineer (73) , Manager (46) , Terminal Trainmaster (42) , Trainmaster (41) , Freight Conductor (36) , Machinist (36) , Intern (27) , Carman (26) , Locomotive Engineer/Conductor (26) , Train Dispatcher (26) , Signal Maintainer (25) , Journeyman Carman (24)

What are the pros of working at BNSF Railway according to real employee reviews?

"The pay is is good for the area and railroad benefits for retirement is one of the best for now." ((in 459 reviews)); "WFH and pretty good benefits" ((in 365 reviews)); "Retirement is good if you can last that long" ((in 99 reviews)); "The people here are great and provide good mentoring." ((in 89 reviews)); "Good money but not near keeping up with inflation or even remotely worth what you sacrifice and lose while working there" ((in 84 reviews))

What are the cons of working at BNSF Railway according to real employee reviews?

"Poor Management Bad union Benefits declining Raises not keeping up with inflation" ((in 142 reviews)); "No work life balance and the company is always finding ways to take even more personal days away from us." ((in 140 reviews)); "with their families and their is very little thought or willingness to accommodate this kind of time off." ((in 99 reviews)); "Long hours (heavy reliance on legacy of railroad employees working all the livelong day)." ((in 64 reviews)); "No schedule and trying to fire everyone" ((in 35 reviews))

What are employees saying about BNSF Railway layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about BNSF Railway layoffs and their outlook for job security at BNSF Railway in 2026.

What are the top reviewed BNSF Railway locations?

Fort Worth , Chicago , Kansas City , Lincoln , Kansas City , Seattle , Denver , Barstow , Topeka , Houston , Minneapolis , Galesburg , Los Angeles , Amarillo , Dallas , Vancouver , Spokane , Alliance , San Bernardino , Memphis , Tulsa , Minot , Cicero , Temple , Tacoma , Springfield , Oklahoma City , Belen , Gillette , Bakersfield

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BNSF Railway

Part of Berkshire Hathaway

BNSF Railway reviews

3.1

44% would recommend to a friend

(2,428 total reviews)

Kathryn Farmer

42% approve of CEO

46% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.7

Compensation and benefits

3.3

Diversity & inclusion

3.1

Career opportunities

2.8

Culture & values

2.6

Senior management

2.5

Work/Life balance

BNSF Railway has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 2,428 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The BNSF Railway 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

2K reviews

1.0

Nov 8, 2017

If your young, do not work here

Finance-ts

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

This was a great company to work for 5 years ago. Anymore, there are no pros unless your in the union. Their pay, benefits, and treatment now exceed corporate employees and opportunities for advancement have vanished.

Cons

Management Culture and attitude drives out young, skilled talent. Very weak leaders that avoid confrontation and dismiss creativity and criticism as being disgruntled. HR bows down to them so unless you a manager or above your just a puppet that is expected to keep your head down and keep quiet until its "your turn". Not sure what happened over 5 years, but there is zero opportunity for anyone to move up unless your an MT where its guaranteed despite having no social skills or common sense.

1.0

Nov 1, 2017

This is the job for you if money is the only thing you care about

Railroad conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Money is pretty good and so are the benifits

Cons

THEY OWN YOU. Work life balance is absolutely zero at this place. You will work day night day night night day. Who knows when. Dont ever plan anything in your life because you will probably get called to work at that time. When you get "two days off" it is only 48 hours. on the dot. The unions are worthless. Could be so much more to say. But I will never go back. After 3 years of working got laid off all of a sudden.

2.0

Sep 13, 2015

Great Company ruined by the Union

Machinist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Pay is ok, benefits are good. Easy job, relaxed environment . Always busy never bored. It can really be a great place to work.

Cons

Lazy Union workers with a sense of entitlement. Many craft members with no electrical or mechanical background but with Union seniority. Previously cleaned dog kennels now an electrician, used to shovel dirt for a living now a machinist. No mechanical training at all. Senior craft always complaining about being overworked. No good days off for lower hard working members but good days off for lazy higher seniority members. People that would get fired in a non union company still given 10th chance. No leadership training for the foremen, believe it they need it.

Viewing 64 - 66 of 2,428 Reviews

Jobs at BNSF Railway

Principal Telecom Engineer, Interoperable Train Control Messaging (Remote - US)

Sr/Staff Data Scientist (Remote - US)

Special Agent (Police) - Richmond, CA

Spvr Road & Train Operations (La Junta, CO)

Conductor Trainee-Teague, TX