Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Colorado
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Colorado earn a median of $60,770 a year ($29.22 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $54,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,670 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,600. Colorado ranks 8th of 17 states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay. The average (mean) salary is $62,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,810 | $26.35 |
| 25th percentile | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Median | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| 75th percentile | $61,350 | $29.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,670 | $39.27 |
| Average (mean) | $62,260 | $29.93 |
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 | $5,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,532.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,337.31 |
| Weekly | $1,168.65 |
| Hourly | $29.22 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $76,140 | $36.60 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,380 | $31.43 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $50,570 | $24.31 |
| Flight Attendant | $59,500 | — |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $307,490 | — |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $41,020 | $19.72 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Colorado is $60,770 a year, or $29.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Colorado earn at least $81,670 a year. The top 25% earn $61,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,810 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $57,680 or less.