Does CN pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, CN employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.9 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at CN. This rating has improved by 1% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at CN?

56% of CN employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated CN 2.6 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 CN?

Railroad Conductor (126) , Locomotive Engineer (75) , Train Conductor (55) , Conductor (49) , Freight Conductor (49) , Intern (23) , Manager (21) , Project Manager (21) , Trainmaster (19) , Analyst (15) , Supervisor (15) , Carman (14) , Heavy Equipment Operator (14) , Engineer (13) , Freight Train Conductor (13)

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

"Pay is good and stock plan is nice.." ((in 279 reviews)); "The benefits are good and it’s steady" ((in 225 reviews)); "Good salary and IT challenges" ((in 78 reviews)); "good pension plan for unionized employees" ((in 76 reviews)); "And good money if you are in the right place for doing very little work." ((in 63 reviews))

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

"no work life balance and 24/7 scheduling" ((in 100 reviews)); "Long hours and being on call at all hour can be difficult for most people with families at home." ((in 68 reviews)); "Constant layoffs and employee/management shortage" ((in 25 reviews)); "Terrible leadership who have made mistakes after mistakes but are not held accountable." ((in 21 reviews)); "It is normal to have a 10 to 15 hour journey home eating into any time off." ((in 21 reviews))

What are employees saying about CN layoffs in 2026?

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

CN reviews

3.3

56% would recommend to a friend

(1,532 total reviews)

Tracy Robinson

46% approve of CEO

46% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.9

Compensation and benefits

3.5

Diversity & inclusion

3.1

Career opportunities

2.8

Culture & values

2.6

Work/Life balance

2.6

Senior management

CN has an employee rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars, based on 1,532 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The CN 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

3.0

Sep 14, 2011

Big company with poor supervision at our point. People at not happy here.

Carmen apprentice

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good pension and steady work. Some shares packages available. There is some opportunity to advance but not many openings for actual advancement.

Cons

Poor training and high expectations after initial training. Poor supervision and responsibility for the safety of employees. It is said if you get hurt you are instantly fired and have to fight to get your job back. Some employees work in fear due to company stand on safety.

3.0

Jul 18, 2011

It is good to work with canadian railway

Track laborer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

canadian raiway is very big network and give you job security.

Cons

outside exposre is difficult in winters

2.0

Apr 5, 2011

Confused

Engineering

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Wages are better than some out there, especially for poorly educated kids straight out of school. Benefits (other than the short term disability) Excellent Shares option

Cons

No real time off until you have had 10 years under your belt. No consideration for family life. You work a shift pattern of 10 days on, 4 days off and you are expected to travel to and from your home on your own time. It is normal to have a 10 to 15 hour journey home eating into any time off. Communication is completely lacking and only the chosen few ever seem to know what’s going on. When you have the audacity to ask questions regarding what the hell you are doing you are ignored. To top that, Foreman can be childish and extremely hostile when you don’t know what’s happening or can’t read their mind. You don’t exist in the minds of Management until you get hurt, then you get fired.

Viewing 1498 - 1500 of 1,532 Reviews

Jobs at CN

Rail Track Maintainer

International Falls, MN

Rail Track Maintainer

Facilities Maintenance Electrician

Chief Engineer, Bridges and Structures

Senior Engineer, Bridge Testing

CN

CN reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Big company with poor supervision at our point. People at not happy here.

It is good to work with canadian railway

Confused

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