Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$67,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#4 of 17
190 employed here

How much do Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers make in California?

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers working in California earn a median salary of $67,160 per year, or about $32.29 per hour. That is 11% above the national median of $60,600 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $66,990 while the top 10% make $67,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,130 and $67,160 a year.

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$66,990$32.21
25th percentile (early career)$67,130$32.27
50th percentile (median)$67,160$32.29
75th percentile (experienced)$67,160$32.29
90th percentile (top earners)$67,160$32.29

How California compares

California ranks 4th out of 17 states and territories for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1West Virginia$91,380
2Florida$80,360
3New Jersey$71,030
4California$67,160
5Pennsylvania$65,380

Working as Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in California

Nationally, about 4,000 people work as Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($67,160) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers make in California?
The median Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in California is $67,160 per year, or about $32.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,990 at the entry level to $67,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers about 11% more than the national median of $60,600. California ranks 4th out of 17 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $67,160 a year. About 190 Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary report

Related salaries

Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators

$77,320
median pay · 4,000 employed

Hoist and Winch Operators

$56,450
median pay · 3,000 employed

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

$46,420
median pay · 774,000 employed

Passenger Attendant

$37,720
median pay · 27,000 employed

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

$58,170
median pay · 10,000 employed

Driver/Sale Workers

$38,770
median pay · 409,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.