Is BNSF Railway a good company to work for?

BNSF Railway has an overall rating of 3.1 out of 5, based on over 2,634 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has increased by 3% over the last 12 months. 47% of employees would recommend working at BNSF Railway to a friend and 49% 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 3.8 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?

47% of BNSF Railway employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated BNSF Railway 2.6 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.9 for culture and values and 3.2 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 481 reviews)); "WFH and pretty good benefits" ((in 356 reviews)); "Retirement is good if you can last that long" ((in 97 reviews)); "The people here are great and provide good mentoring." ((in 91 reviews)); "Good money but not near keeping up with inflation or even remotely worth what you sacrifice and lose while working there" ((in 86 reviews))

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

"No work life balance and the company is always finding ways to take even more personal days away from us." ((in 141 reviews)); "Poor Management Bad union Benefits declining Raises not keeping up with inflation" ((in 139 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 67 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

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

BNSF Railway

Part of Berkshire Hathaway

BNSF Railway reviews

3.1

47% would recommend to a friend

(2,427 total reviews)

Kathryn Farmer

45% approve of CEO

49% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.8

Compensation and benefits

3.4

Diversity & inclusion

3.2

Career opportunities

2.9

Culture & values

2.7

Senior management

2.6

Work/Life balance

BNSF Railway has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 2,427 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

4.0

Jul 5, 2014

It has been an interesting journey.

Welder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great pay and benefits. Weekends off and work from 0600 to 1400 during the week. You get your mileage paid and 28$ a day for meals. Once you get your seniority up you can hold a headquartered job and its all gravy from there!

Cons

Working in maintenance of way includes quite a bit of travel. If you have a family this may not be the best department for you. If you are young, single and want to make some money you opportunities are abundant.

5.0

Jun 25, 2014

Every Young Boy Wants to Drive a Train.

Locomotive engineer/conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The best money for the education level required. Good insurance, profit sharing, 401k match and retirement. (Pay, insurance and benefits are negotiated by the Union.) Lots of available overtime. (Some overtime is required. There's more if you want it .)

Cons

Scheduling can be irregular and unpredictable. Through Freight runs require us to be away from home for at least two days; sometimes more. It's the nature of the business. Patience and flexibility are a must.

2.0

Jun 18, 2014

Good Solid Company great pay and benefits, bad work life balance. BNSF=Better Not Start a Family

Railroad conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great pay and benefits, company perks, and a great investment/retirement package. Good place to start a new career.

Cons

Terrible work/life balance. 12-16 hours at the home terminal to rest and 36 to 48 hours out on trips. 24/7 call rosters, no scheduled days off to plan on family time. No provisions or time to move family or household to new work locations. Many new families are geographically separated for long periods of time. Manpower shortages cause constant reassignments so you may move your family to your assigned location and end up working in another state for months. No consideration for family. Constant conflict between Union and Management, not much support from either side for the new guy trying to figure things out.

Viewing 2290 - 2292 of 2,427 Reviews

Jobs at BNSF Railway

Construction Structural Maintenance Bridge and Building (Helper/Driver)- Hannibal, MO or Quincy, IL

Staff Engineering Manager (Remote - US)

Track Maintenance - Laborer - Stockton, CA

Track Maintenance - Laborer - District 800, Lafayette, LA

Construction - Structural Maintenance Bridge and Building (Helper/Driver)- Ottumwa or La Crosse, WI