Skilled Trades
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
Median salary
$58,030
Typical range
$45k – $79k
Job outlook
See national outlook
AI exposure
Plan a path to Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Entry / Junior
$44,510
~2 yrs to advance
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Established
$58,030
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Senior
$68,550
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.