Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in the U.S.
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in the U.S. earn a median of $60,600 a year ($29.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,270 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $68,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,540 | $21.41 |
| 25th percentile | $52,780 | $25.37 |
| Median | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| 75th percentile | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| Average (mean) | $68,450 | $32.91 |
Half of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,525 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,330.77 |
| Weekly | $1,165.38 |
| Hourly | $29.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $91,380 | 40 |
| Florida | $80,360 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $71,030 | 130 |
| California | $67,160 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,380 | 40 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $62,070 | 110 |
| Colorado | $60,770 | n/a |
| Ohio | $59,460 | n/a |
| Utah | $58,380 | n/a |
| Kansas | $56,090 | n/a |
| Indiana | $54,420 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $54,060 | 60 |
| Texas | $53,130 | 50 |
| Nevada | $48,970 | 40 |
| Alabama | $48,900 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $38,980 | 70 |
Best-paying metro areas for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $61,230 | n/a |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $53,890 | 60 |
Metro areas with the most rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 60 | $53,890 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $68,840 | $33.10 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $86,380 | $41.53 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $56,360 | $27.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,890 | $30.23 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,920 | $23.04 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-4013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in the U.S.?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in the U.S. is $60,600 a year, or $29.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in the U.S. earn at least $100,270 a year. The top 25% earn $80,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,540 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $52,780 or less.
How many rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers work in the U.S.?
About 3,920 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.