Is Norfolk Southern a good company to work for?

Norfolk Southern has an overall rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 2,170 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has increased by 1% over the last 12 months. 35% of employees would recommend working at Norfolk Southern to a friend and 25% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Norfolk Southern have been left by employees working as Intern , Track Supervisor and Management Trainee .

Does Norfolk Southern pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Norfolk Southern employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Norfolk Southern. This rating has improved by 2% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Norfolk Southern?

35% of Norfolk Southern employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Norfolk Southern 2.2 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.4 for culture and values and 2.9 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Norfolk Southern?

Railroad Conductor (202) , Conductor (98) , Locomotive Engineer (59) , Freight Conductor (43) , Engineer (37) , Signal Maintainer (35) , Trainmaster (33) , Intern (29) , Electrician (26) , Machinist (26) , Manager (24) , Train Dispatcher (24) , Train Conductor (19) , Operations Supervisor (18) , Management Trainee (15)

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

"Pay is good and they force you to work your off days and work over your shift." ((in 379 reviews)); "Great benefits and retirement plan" ((in 291 reviews)); "4. Good retirement that will follow you to another railroad if you decide to change employers" ((in 92 reviews)); "The people were great and very welcoming." ((in 84 reviews)); "the money was good and it was easy work" ((in 63 reviews))

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

"Poor management, have to pay for parking, having to bid on jobs" ((in 168 reviews)); "No work life balance and always short staffed" ((in 127 reviews)); "hours are long and boring" ((in 80 reviews)); "CEO and upper management are horrible." ((in 47 reviews)); "too many managers that are not qualified to be in supervisory positions." ((in 28 reviews))

What are employees saying about Norfolk Southern layoffs in 2026?

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

What are the top reviewed Norfolk Southern locations?

Atlanta , Norfolk , Roanoke , Chicago , Bellevue , Conway , Fort Wayne , Pittsburgh , Harrisburg , Elkhart , Birmingham , Toledo , Altoona , Chattanooga , Decatur , Macon , Louisville , Cleveland , Cincinnati , Knoxville , Charlotte , Columbus , Saint Louis , Savannah , Greensboro , Enola , Greenville , Detroit , Sheffield , Peru

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern reviews

2.9

35% would recommend to a friend

(1,915 total reviews)

Mark George

29% approve of CEO

25% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.5

Compensation and benefits

3.2

Diversity & inclusion

2.9

Career opportunities

2.4

Culture & values

2.3

Senior management

2.2

Work/Life balance

Norfolk Southern has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 1,915 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Norfolk Southern 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

2.0

Jul 29, 2020

Greed runs this company...period!!!!

Journeyman electrician

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Pay is better than working at Walmart...marginally...

Cons

Company doesnt care about health and safety...they skirt COVID-19 regulations and when investigated get away with that too...inadequate tooling and supplies to do the job they require...Forcing overtime when my brothers and sisters are"furloughed" or laid off is inexcusable practice...especially in a "UNION" environment...15 years with any company in the USA should all but guarantee a 1st shift opportunity...this place is horrible!!!

2.0

May 14, 2020

Stay Away!

Railroad conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Pay, benefits, pension, seeing the great outdoors, and using the break stick as a back scratcher.

Cons

Toxic environment, lack of home time, management, values, working conditions, high stress, MSI, PTI, equipment, lack of safety, trainmasters.

1.0

May 12, 2020

I would give it 0 stars if I could

Senior trainmaster

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Pay - if looking at it strictly as a number - is above average. However, you are working 24/7, 365. You will never be away from work. The "hourly" rate is very low.

Cons

Work/Life balance is nonexistent. You exist to serve the company. Culture is awful. The company is filled with bad people and poor management. The only way they motivate people is by threatening their jobs. This is a very toxic place to work.

Viewing 58 - 60 of 1,915 Reviews

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Greed runs this company...period!!!!

Stay Away!

I would give it 0 stars if I could

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