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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$54,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#12 of 17
190 employed here

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

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Indiana take home a median of $54,420 annually — roughly $26.16 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $60,600.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $38,370 while the top 10% make $105,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,790 and $68,160 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,370$18.45
25th percentile (early career)$42,790$20.57
50th percentile (median)$54,420$26.16
75th percentile (experienced)$68,160$32.77
90th percentile (top earners)$105,530$50.74

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 12th 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 Indiana

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 Indiana pay ($54,420) 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 Indiana?
The median Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Indiana is $54,420 per year, or about $26.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,370 at the entry level to $105,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers about 10% less than the national median of $60,600. Indiana ranks 12th out of 17 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $54,420 a year. About 190 Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers are employed in Indiana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), 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.