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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$60,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#8 of 17
state estimate

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

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Colorado take home a median of $60,770 annually — roughly $29.22 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $60,600.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $54,810 while the top 10% make $81,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,680 and $61,350 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$54,810$26.35
25th percentile (early career)$57,680$27.73
50th percentile (median)$60,770$29.22
75th percentile (experienced)$61,350$29.50
90th percentile (top earners)$81,670$39.26

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 8th 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 Colorado

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 Colorado pay ($60,770) 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 Colorado?
The median Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Colorado is $60,770 per year, or about $29.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,810 at the entry level to $81,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers about 0% more than the national median of $60,600. Colorado ranks 8th out of 17 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,770 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

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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.