Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in California
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in California earn a median of $67,160 a year ($32.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,160 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $60,600. California ranks 4th of 17 states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $66,450, close to the median.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| 25th percentile | $67,130 | $32.28 |
| Median | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| 75th percentile | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Average (mean) | $66,450 | $31.95 |
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 | $5,596.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,798.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,583.08 |
| Weekly | $1,291.54 |
| Hourly | $32.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $91,380 |
| Florida | $80,360 |
| New Jersey | $71,030 |
| California | $67,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,380 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 |
| Kentucky | $62,070 |
| Colorado | $60,770 |
| Ohio | $59,460 |
| Utah | $58,380 |
See Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $77,070 | $37.06 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $69,950 | $33.63 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,600 | $21.92 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in California is $67,160 a year, or $32.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in California?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in California earn at least $67,160 a year. The top 25% earn $67,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,990 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $67,130 or less.
How many rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers work in California?
About 190 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.