All careers › Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Switchman and rail yard engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $44,540lowest 10% earn less
- $52,78025th percentile
- $60,600median
- $80,36075th percentile
- $100,270top 10% earn more
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators and hostlers earned a median of $60,600 a year in May 2025, compared with $50,980 for all occupations[1][2]. The usual entry route is a high school diploma and on-the-job training[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +0.8%[5]
- Openings per year
- 300[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[3]
How much do switchmen and rail yard engineers make?
Switchman is one of the job titles workers report in the BLS category Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers[7]. In May 2025, the median wage was $60,600 a year, or $29.14 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average (mean) wage was $68,450 a year, or $32.91 an hour[8].
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $44,540 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $52,780[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $80,360, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $100,270[4]. Hourly, those four lines were $21.41, $25.37, $38.63 and $48.21[9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].
The median for all occupations was $50,980[2]. These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[11]. About 3,920 people held these jobs in May 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
BLS published a median for 17 states[13]. West Virginia had the highest at $91,380, followed by Florida at $80,360, New Jersey at $71,030 and California at $67,160[13]. Arkansas was lowest at $38,980[13]. Some of the highest-paying states had few jobs, such as 40 in West Virginia[13].
California and Indiana had the most jobs, with 190 each[14]. New Jersey (130), Florida (120) and Kentucky (110) came next[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area was the metro with the most jobs, at 60, and a median of $53,890[15].
Show median pay in 17 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia[13] | $91,380 | 40 |
| Florida | $80,360 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $71,030 | 130 |
| California | $67,160 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,380 | 40 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $62,070 | 110 |
| Colorado | $60,770 | n/a |
| Ohio | $59,460 | n/a |
| Utah | $58,380 | n/a |
| Kansas | $56,090 | n/a |
| Indiana | $54,420 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $54,060 | 60 |
| Texas | $53,130 | 50 |
| Nevada | $48,970 | 40 |
| Alabama | $48,900 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $38,980 | 70 |
How to become a rail yard engineer
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education, with no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[3]. The training details below come from a Handbook profile of railroad workers, which covers a wider group of occupations than this one[16].
- First: finish high school or an equivalent. Rail companies typically require at least that, though employers may prefer workers with postsecondary coursework, a certificate or a degree[17]. In an O*NET survey of 27 workers, 83% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, and 13% named a post-secondary certificate[18].
- Next: complete company training. Rail yard engineers and switch operators typically train through a company program that may last a few weeks to a few months, with classroom instruction and hands-on work under an experienced employee[19].
- Then: meet the general rules for railroad workers. They must be at least 21, pass a background test and pass random drug and alcohol screenings during employment[20].
The Handbook says the Federal Railroad Administration requires certification for locomotive engineers and conductors[21]. Locomotive engineers typically get 3 or more months of on-the-job training before they run a train alone, and most first work as conductors or yardmasters for several years[22][23]. Rail yard engineers may advance to conductor or yardmaster[24].
What rail yard engineers do
O*NET describes the job as driving switching or dinkey locomotives within a rail yard, plant, quarry, construction project or similar place[25]. Typical tasks include:
- Watching for and responding to signals along the track and in the cab[26].
- Inspecting engines before and after use[26].
- Setting and releasing hand brakes[26].
- Signaling crew members with lanterns, hand signals, radios or telephones[26].
- Talking with conductors and others about switching information[26].
- Checking track for defects such as broken rails[26].
- Connecting and disconnecting air hoses and electrical connections between cars[26].
- Driving engines to couple, uncouple or switch railroad cars[26].
Job titles reported by workers include switchman, hostler, yard engineer and railcar switcher[7].
Where they work
Rail transportation employed 85% of railroad workers in 2025[27]. Railroad operators and rail yard engineers spend most of their time outside, whatever the weather[28].
Trains run around the clock, so schedules may include nights, weekends and holidays. Most railroad workers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week[29]. Federal rules require a minimum amount of rest for train operators[29]. For engineers and conductors, seniority usually decides who gets the most desired shifts[30].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,500 to 3,600 jobs[5]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[31].
BLS projects about 300 openings a year on average[6]. These include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.4% of workers leave the labor force and 4.7% move to a different occupation[32].
Is it a good fit?
The median pay is above the all-occupations median, and the entry route is a high school diploma plus company training with no prior experience[1][2][3]. Pay spreads widely, from under $44,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to over $100,270 for the highest-paid 10%[4]. This is a small occupation with growth of 0.8%, below the 3.5% for all occupations, and about 300 openings a year[5][31][6]. The work is mostly outdoors and schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays[28][29].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a switchman make an hour?
- For rail yard engineers, dinkey operators and hostlers, the median was $29.14 an hour in May 2025[1].
- What education do you need to be a rail yard engineer?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, with moderate-term on-the-job training[3].
- How long is rail yard engineer training?
- The Handbook says company programs for rail yard engineers and switch operators may last a few weeks to a few months. This profile covers a wider group of railroad jobs[16][19].
- Is rail yard engineer work in demand?
- BLS projects 0.8% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 300 openings a year[5][31][6].
- What is the highest paying state for rail yard engineers?
- West Virginia, with a median of $91,380 in May 2025[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in the US was $60,600 per year and $29.14 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers: 10th percentile $44,540, 25th percentile $52,780, 75th percentile $80,360, 90th percentile $100,270. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers is projected to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,500 to 3,600 jobs (a change of +0). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 300 openings for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- O*NET 53-4013.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Carman, Engineer, Hostler, Rail Yard Engineer, Railcar Switcher, Railroad Engineer, Switchman, Yard Engineer. O*NET OnLine
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers was $68,450 per year and $32.91 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers: 10th percentile $21.41, 25th percentile $25.37, 75th percentile $38.63, 90th percentile $48.21. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 3,920 people were employed as Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers jobs: California 190; Indiana 190; New Jersey 130; Florida 120; Kentucky 110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 60 (median $53,890). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Railroad Workers" covers Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 53-4013.00 survey of workers (27 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 83%, Post-Secondary Certificate 13% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of railroad workers in 2025: Rail transportation 85%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers: 2.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the 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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.