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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kansas Median
$56,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#11 of 17
state estimate

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

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Kansas take home a median of $56,090 annually — roughly $26.97 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $60,600.

Within Kansas, entry-level pay starts around $48,330 while the top 10% make $59,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,200 and $56,090 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,330$23.24
25th percentile (early career)$49,200$23.65
50th percentile (median)$56,090$26.97
75th percentile (experienced)$56,090$26.97
90th percentile (top earners)$59,240$28.48

How Kansas compares

Kansas ranks 11th 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 Kansas

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 Kansas pay ($56,090) 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 Kansas?
The median Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Kansas is $56,090 per year, or about $26.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,330 at the entry level to $59,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kansas pay compare to the national average?
Kansas pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers about 7% less than the national median of $60,600. Kansas ranks 11th out of 17 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kansas a good state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,090 a year. 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 Kansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Kansas include Anesthesiologist ($437,030), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($311,630), Psychiatrist ($278,100), 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.