Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Ohio
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Ohio earn a median of $59,460 a year ($28.59 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $50,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,480 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,600. Ohio ranks 9th of 17 states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay. The average (mean) salary is $58,760, close to the median.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| 25th percentile | $59,330 | $28.53 |
| Median | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| 75th percentile | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,480 | $32.92 |
| Average (mean) | $58,760 | $28.25 |
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 | $4,955 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,477.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,286.92 |
| Weekly | $1,143.46 |
| Hourly | $28.59 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $61,390 | $29.52 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,530 | $16.12 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,860 | $22.05 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Ohio is $59,460 a year, or $28.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in Ohio?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Ohio earn at least $68,480 a year. The top 25% earn $59,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,480 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $59,330 or less.