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

1.0

Jun 23, 2025

Don't Work here

Market manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

There are none past the basic benefits package and free parking

Cons

Nepotism, unfair hiring practices, HR doesn't know what they are doing, and refuses to follow their own or federally regulated policies. If you are being harassed by another employee, do not expect them to do anything about it. Do not work here, you will regret it.

3.0

Jun 22, 2025

Very militaristic

Signal maintainer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good work/life balance for my specific job.

Cons

Management is very militant and strict.

4.0

Jun 12, 2025

Excellent Benefits and Career Growth

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

-Strong emphasis on employee growth and career development -Collaborative and mission-driven team culture -Hybrid schedule

Cons

-Recent shift from 2 to 3 in-office days has impacted flexibility for some team members

Viewing 76 - 78 of 1,915 Reviews

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Don't Work here

Very militaristic

Excellent Benefits and Career Growth

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