Is Norfolk Southern a good company to work for?

Norfolk Southern has an overall rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 2,171 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 386 reviews)); "Good benefits and they take care of miltary" ((in 283 reviews)); "4. Good retirement that will follow you to another railroad if you decide to change employers" ((in 94 reviews)); "The people were great and very welcoming." ((in 82 reviews)); "good money and enough to support family" ((in 59 reviews))

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

"Lifestyle is awful and management is poor" ((in 164 reviews)); "No work life balance and always short staffed" ((in 129 reviews)); "hours are long and boring" ((in 75 reviews)); "CEO and upper management are horrible." ((in 46 reviews)); "Horrible Culture" ((in 33 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

Item: Norfolk Southern
Rating: 5
Author: Mid-Upper Level Transportation Manager

2.9

35% would recommend to a friend

(1,916 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 1,916 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 19, 2010

Benefits

Railroad conductor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The best thing you'll get out of being at NS is the benefits.

Cons

Long days and being on call 24/7

5.0

Nov 2, 2008

A wonderful place to work.

Mid-upper level transportation manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Business is strong, market fluctuations have less overall effect on operations. NS is well diversified in it's traffic base. There are no worries of job loss. NS requires HIGH level of integrity. You can count on the word of the people you work with. For someone with my background and education, NS provides opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere. They promote both from within and without, looking for competent leaders and managers, pedigrees and connections will not help you if you are unable to advance the business. Lastly NS provides above average compensation

Cons

Union shop, long hours, unions, very young front line supervisory staff

Viewing 1915 - 1916 of 1,916 Reviews

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Benefits

A wonderful place to work.

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