Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Kansas
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Kansas earn a median of $56,090 a year ($26.97 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $48,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,240 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $60,600. Kansas ranks 11th of 17 states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay. The average (mean) salary is $53,250, close to the median.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,330 | $23.24 |
| 25th percentile | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| Median | $56,090 | $26.97 |
| 75th percentile | $56,090 | $26.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Average (mean) | $53,250 | $25.60 |
Half of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,674.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,337.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,157.31 |
| Weekly | $1,078.65 |
| Hourly | $26.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $91,380 |
| Florida | $80,360 |
| New Jersey | $71,030 |
| California | $67,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,380 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 |
| Kentucky | $62,070 |
| Colorado | $60,770 |
| Ohio | $59,460 |
| Utah | $58,380 |
See Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $68,730 | $33.05 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,370 | $17.96 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,180 | $20.76 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-4013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in Kansas?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Kansas is $56,090 a year, or $26.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in Kansas?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Kansas earn at least $59,240 a year. The top 25% earn $56,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,330 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $49,200 or less.