Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Kentucky
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Kentucky earn a median of $62,070 a year ($29.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,430 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $60,600. Kentucky ranks 7th of 17 states for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers pay. There are 0.05 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| 25th percentile | $51,410 | $24.72 |
| Median | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| 75th percentile | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,430 | $49.24 |
| Average (mean) | $71,390 | $34.32 |
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 | $5,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,586.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,387.31 |
| Weekly | $1,193.65 |
| Hourly | $29.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $56,410 | $27.12 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $52,380 | $25.18 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,340 | $27.09 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $350,950 | — |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,470 | $16.57 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Kentucky is $62,070 a year, or $29.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Kentucky earn at least $102,430 a year. The top 25% earn $100,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,770 a year, and a quarter of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers earn $51,410 or less.
How many rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers work in Kentucky?
About 110 rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.