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 375 reviews)); "Good Benefits for you and family" ((in 298 reviews)); "4. Good retirement that will follow you to another railroad if you decide to change employers" ((in 90 reviews)); "The people were great and very welcoming." ((in 82 reviews)); "good money and enough to support family" ((in 57 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 163 reviews)); "No work life balance and always short staffed" ((in 129 reviews)); "hours are long and boring" ((in 78 reviews)); "CEO and upper management are horrible." ((in 46 reviews)); "Transportation managers have it rough." ((in 31 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

4.0

Jan 3, 2013

Great place to work, but huge lack of communication

Management trainee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

NS has a lot to offer: great pay, stability, unparalleled benefits and a PENSION. They haven't laid off a manager in ages and there are plenty of options within the company in terms of career choice.

Cons

Zero communication on the operations department. And be prepared to deal with tyrannical bosses, constant relocation, having no social life, and in some regions, a powerful, unyielding union.

5.0

Dec 8, 2012

It has been fantastic!

Carman

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

- The pay is as good as you will find - I work with great people - The benefits are too numerous to list - Job stability - Management will work with you

Cons

- It is a 24/7, 365 days a year operation - Shift work with odd rest days - Working outside during the winter months - Not much else...

4.0

Dec 7, 2012

Satisfactory experience with Norfolk Southern.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The salary is competitive and great benefits. Retiring with Norfolk Southern is a breeze. Your spouse will receive retirement benefits up to 50% of what you receive as a retired employee.

Cons

The company is powerful and knows it. The entire recruitment process takes a long time (3-4 months) so it is tough to tell if you are still on their radar.

Viewing 1852 - 1854 of 1,915 Reviews

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Great place to work, but huge lack of communication

It has been fantastic!

Satisfactory experience with Norfolk Southern.

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