Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
SOC 53-4013BLS OEWS May 2025
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
National median · BLS
$60,600
▲ +4.43%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$68,450
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
3,920
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$44,540
25th
$52,780
Median (50th)
$60,600
75th
$80,360
90th — top pay
$100,270
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
BLS projects employment of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 300 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
3,500 → 3,600
+0 jobs
Projected change
+0.8%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
300
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers do
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.
Car Barn LaborerCar MoverCoal Tram DriverCoal TrammerDiesel Dinkey EngineerDiesel Dinkey OperatorDinkey DriverDinkey Engine OperatorDinkey EngineerDinkey Locomotive EngineerDinkey Locomotive OperatorDinkey Motor OperatorDinkey OperatorDinkey SkinnerDump Motor OperatorDump MotormanDuty EngineerEngine HostlerHaulage Engine OperatorIngot Buggy OperatorIngot Car OperatorLarrimanLarry Car OperatorMine Motor EngineerMine Motor OperatorRail Equipment OperatorRail SwitcherRail SwitchmanRailcar SwitchmanShunt OperatorSlag Motor OperatorSwitch EngineerSwitcherSwitcher OperatorTrain OperatorWork Car OperatorYard HostlerYard Motor OperatorYard Switcher
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $60,600.
