Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Tennessee
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Tennessee earn a median of $54,060 a year ($25.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,690 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $60,600. Tennessee ranks 13th of 17 states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay. There are 0.02 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $61,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,330 | $21.31 |
| 25th percentile | $51,340 | $24.68 |
| Median | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| 75th percentile | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Average (mean) | $61,460 | $29.55 |
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 | $4,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,252.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,079.23 |
| Weekly | $1,039.62 |
| Hourly | $25.99 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $48,660 | $23.40 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Tennessee is $54,060 a year, or $25.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Tennessee earn at least $79,690 a year. The top 25% earn $78,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,330 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $51,340 or less.
How many rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers work in Tennessee?
About 60 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.