Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Salary
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · 3.9K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$60,600
Median hourly
$29
Average annual
$68,450
Typical range
$44,540–$100,270
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers is $60,600 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $29 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location..
Most earn between $44,540 and $100,270 a year. There are roughly 3.9K people employed as rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers.
- Hourly
- $29.13
- Daily
- $233
- Weekly
- $1,165
- Bi-weekly
- $2,331
- Monthly
- $5,050
- Annual
- $60,600
$60,600 a year is around the 50th percentile for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlerss. The median is $60,600.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1West Virginia$91,380
- 2Florida$80,360
- 3New Jersey$71,030
- 4California$67,160
- 5Pennsylvania$65,380
- 6Oklahoma$63,400
- 7Kentucky$62,070
- 8Colorado$60,770
- 9Ohio$59,460
- 10Utah$58,380
- 11Kansas$56,090
- 12Indiana$54,420
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Salt Lake City-Murray, UT$61,230
- 2New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$53,890
Related job titles
Employers advertise Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers roles under these titles.
Related occupations
- Locomotive Engineers$81,410
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers$68,840
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$78,000
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$61,770
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,420
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$59,850
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$58,640
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$58,870
What a Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers does
- Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
- Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
- Apply and release hand brakes.
- Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
- Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
- Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
- Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.
- Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers make?
- The median annual wage for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers is $60,600 ($29 per hour). Pay ranges from about $44,540 at the 10th percentile to $100,270 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $68,450, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlerss the most?
- West Virginia has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $91,380.
- Is Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 3.9K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers do?
- Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.; Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.; Apply and release hand brakes..