Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,540 | $21.41 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Mean (average) | $68,450 | $32.91 |
| 90th percentile | $100,270 | $48.21 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 17 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,900 | $31,270 | $75,220 | 80 | 1.41 |
| Arkansas | $38,980 | $37,550 | $72,340 | 70 | 2.02 |
| California | $67,160 | $66,990 | $67,160 | 190 | 0.41 |
| Colorado | $60,770 | $54,810 | $81,670 | ||
| Florida | $80,360 | $56,900 | $80,580 | 120 | 0.47 |
| Indiana | $54,420 | $38,370 | $105,530 | 190 | 2.33 |
| Kansas | $56,090 | $48,330 | $59,240 | ||
| Kentucky | $62,070 | $48,770 | $102,430 | 110 | 2.16 |
| Nevada | $48,970 | $40,650 | $58,640 | 40 | 0.93 |
| New Jersey | $71,030 | $51,350 | $102,220 | 130 | 1.17 |
| Ohio | $59,460 | $50,480 | $68,480 | ||
| Oklahoma | $63,400 | $38,570 | $80,440 | 70 | 1.68 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,380 | $36,390 | $65,850 | 40 | 0.27 |
| Tennessee | $54,060 | $44,330 | $79,690 | 60 | 0.73 |
| Texas | $53,130 | $44,540 | $101,310 | 50 | 0.13 |
| Utah | $58,380 | $43,160 | $61,230 | ||
| West Virginia | $91,380 | $62,990 | $91,380 | 40 | 2.1 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 300. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Railroad and Railway Transportation CIP 49.0208
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
- Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
- Apply and release hand brakes.
- Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
- Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
- Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
- Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
- Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.
Technology skills
- Positive train control PTC systems
- RailComm DocYard
- Railcar inspection management software
- Railyard inventory software
- Railyard management software RMS
- Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System
- Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Troubleshooting, Quality Control Analysis.
Common job titles: Carman, Engineer, Hostler, Rail Yard Engineer, Railcar Switcher, Railroad Engineer, Switchman, Yard Engineer.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make?
The national median annual wage for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers was $60,600 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $44,540 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $100,270. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers to change +0.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 300 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were West Virginia ($91,380), Florida ($80,360), New Jersey ($71,030). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.