Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Pay and outlook

Median annual wage, May 2025

$60,600

Half earn more, half earn less

Middle half earn

$52,780 – $80,360

25th to 75th percentile

People employed, May 2025

3,920

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)

Projected change, 2025–35

+0.8%

Growing slower than all jobs (0% to under 3.5%)

Openings a year (projected)

300

New jobs plus replacing people who leave

Typical education to enter

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

• All figures are for the United States as a whole. Pay varies a lot by state and city.
• Wages are for everyone working in the occupation in May 2025, at every career stage. They are not starting salaries or figures for new graduates.
• Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025–35. They are estimates, not promises. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or change occupation, not just new jobs.

What the work involves

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

Main 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.

Description and tasks from the O*NET® 31.0 Database.

Getting in

Typical education to enter (BLS)

High school diploma or equivalent

Training once hired: moderate-term on-the-job training

O*NET Job Zone 1–2

Little to some preparation

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Fields of study that lead here

From the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk, which links 1 programme to this occupation. A link means the programme prepares people for this kind of work. It doesn't mean the programme is required, or that it's the only route.

Related careers

Related occupations from the O*NET database, in its order.

• Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

  $68,840 median · +0.8% projected

• Locomotive Engineers

  $81,410 median · +0.5% projected

• Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

  $78,000 median · +0.9% projected

• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

  $61,770 median · +3.6% projected

• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

  $59,850 median · +4.6% projected

• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

  $46,420 median · +1.5% projected