Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in New Jersey
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in New Jersey earn a median of $71,030 a year ($34.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,220 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $60,600. New Jersey ranks 3rd of 17 states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,350 | $24.69 |
| 25th percentile | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| Median | $71,030 | $34.15 |
| 75th percentile | $102,220 | $49.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,220 | $49.14 |
| Average (mean) | $74,840 | $35.98 |
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 | $5,919.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,959.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,731.92 |
| Weekly | $1,365.96 |
| Hourly | $34.15 |
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 in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $53,890 | 60 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,980 | $32.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,720 | $21.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in New Jersey is $71,030 a year, or $34.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in New Jersey earn at least $102,220 a year. The top 25% earn $102,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,350 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $53,890 or less.
How many rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers work in New Jersey?
About 130 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.