53 Series · SOC 53-4013

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$60,600
Median / year
$100,270
Top 10% earn
+0.3%
Growth '23–'33
3,920
US workers

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers earn a median of $60,600 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $60,600, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $44,540 (10th percentile) to $100,270 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 3,920 US workers. West Virginia pays the most ($91,380), since pay varies by state and metro area.

53 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers earn a median of $60,600, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 49% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Transportation and Material Moving, it ranks #17 of 50 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 0.3% by 2033.

$60,600
Median annual wage
Top 51%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#17 of 50
in Transportation and Material Moving
2.3×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: West Virginia at $91,380. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers (SOC 53-4013) pays a national median of $60,600 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $44,540 at the 10th percentile to $100,270 at the 90th, with a mean of $68,450 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 3,920 Americans work in this occupation across 17 reporting states and 3 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +0.3% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 200 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of C for this role, with a fatality rate of 17.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 4.8 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. West Virginia pays the highest state median at $91,380, which is +51% above the national figure. The top metro is Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area at $91,380 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 3,920 jobs Median $60,600/yr

Median Salary

$60,600

per year

Median Hourly

$29.14/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$68,450

average

Employment

3,920

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$60,600 Bottom 49% higher than 49% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). This entry sits in this band. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 53-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers sits on the slower-growing side at +0.3% growth and $60,600 median pay.

Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers sits on the slower-growing side at +0.3% growth and $60,600 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $0$50000$100000$150000$200000$250000 -20%-10%0%10%20% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers sits on the slower-growing side at +0.3% growth and $60,600 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+0.3%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

200

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
C

Moderate Risk

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

17.5/100K

Injury Rate

4.8/100

Danger Index

28/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Operation and Control 3.8
Monitoring 3.6
Operations Monitoring 3.6
Speaking 3.5
Active Listening 3.4
Complex Problem Solving 3.4
Critical Thinking 3.3
Reading Comprehension 3.1
Coordination 3.1
Troubleshooting 3.1

Knowledge Areas

Transportation 4.2
Public Safety and Security 3.6
Administration and Management 3.2
Mechanical 3.1
English Language 3.1
Customer and Personal Service 3.0
Education and Training 3.0
Administrative 3.0
Law and Government 2.6
Mathematics 2.4

Key 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.
  • ▸ Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
  • ▸ Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$44,540$52,780$60,600$80,360$100,270
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$21.41$25.37$29.14$38.63$48.21
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$44,540

25th Percentile

$52,780

Median

$60,600

75th Percentile

$80,360

90th Percentile

$100,270

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. West Virginia $91,380 2. Florida $80,360 3. New Jersey $71,030 4. California $67,160 5. Pennsylvania $65,380

Lowest Paying States

13. Arkansas $38,980 14. Alabama $48,900 15. Nevada $48,970 16. Texas $53,130 17. Tennessee $54,060
View all 17 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 West Virginia $91,380 +51% above national
2 Florida $80,360 +33% above national
3 New Jersey $71,030 +17% above national
4 California $67,160 +11% above national
5 Pennsylvania $65,380 +8% above national
6 Oklahoma $63,400 +5% above national
7 Kentucky $62,070 +2% above national
8 Colorado $60,770 same as national
9 Ohio $59,460 2% below national
10 Utah $58,380 4% below national
11 Kansas $56,090 7% below national
12 Indiana $54,420 10% below national
13 Tennessee $54,060 11% below national
14 Texas $53,130 12% below national
15 Nevada $48,970 19% below national
16 Alabama $48,900 19% below national
17 Arkansas $38,980 36% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area $91,380 2. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $61,230 3. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $53,890

Lowest Paying Metros

-1. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $53,890 0. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $61,230 1. Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area $91,380
View all 3 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area $91,380 +51% above national
2 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $61,230 +1% above national
3 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $53,890 11% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 53 (transportation and material moving) with comparable pay and career paths.

Air Traffic Controllers

SOC 53-2021

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

SOC 53-1041

Aircraft Service Attendants

SOC 53-6032

Airfield Operations Specialists

SOC 53-2022

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

SOC 53-2011
Compare Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers make? ▼
The median annual salary for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers is $60,600 ($29.14/hour). The salary range spans from $44,540 at the 10th percentile to $100,270 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers the most? ▼
West Virginia pays the highest median salary for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers at $91,380/year, which is +51% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers? ▼
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers has a safety grade of C (Moderate Risk) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 17.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 4.8 per 100 workers.
Is Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers a good career? ▼
Employment for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers is projected to grow 0.3% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 200 openings are projected each year.
How does Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers pay vary by state? ▼
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is West Virginia at $91,380/year, while Tennessee pays the least at $54,060/year. BLS data covers 17 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers is Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area at $91,380/year. BLS reports wage data for 3 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $80,360/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: West Virginia leads at $91,380/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.