Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Salary (2025)
Based on 3,920 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $44,540 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $52,780 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $60,600 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $80,360 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $100,270 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$45K
25th
$53K
Median
$61K
75th
$80K
90th
$100K
Highest Paying States for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $79,630 |
| Florida | $77,700 |
| New Jersey | $74,840 |
| Kentucky | $71,390 |
| Texas | $67,450 |
| California | $66,450 |
| Colorado | $62,260 |
| Tennessee | $61,460 |
| Oklahoma | $60,580 |
| Indiana | $59,260 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is West Virginia at an average of $79,630 per year, while Indiana has an average of $59,260 — a difference of $20,370. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3,920 workers were employed as Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Transportation and Material Moving Occupations. The annual mean wage of $68,450 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 53-4013