Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Indiana
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Indiana earn a median of $54,420 a year ($26.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,530 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $60,600. Indiana ranks 12th of 17 states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay. There are 0.06 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $42,790 | $20.57 |
| Median | $54,420 | $26.16 |
| 75th percentile | $68,160 | $32.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,530 | $50.73 |
| Average (mean) | $59,260 | $28.49 |
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 | $4,535 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,267.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,093.08 |
| Weekly | $1,046.54 |
| Hourly | $26.16 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $92,790 | $44.61 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $64,530 | $31.02 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,290 | $28.99 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,560 | $21.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,700 | $31.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $32,780 | $15.76 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Indiana is $54,420 a year, or $26.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in Indiana?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Indiana earn at least $105,530 a year. The top 25% earn $68,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,370 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $42,790 or less.
How many rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers work in Indiana?
About 190 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.