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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$62,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#7 of 17
110 employed here

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

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers in Kentucky take home a median of $62,070 annually — roughly $29.84 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $60,600.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $48,770 while the top 10% make $102,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,410 and $100,760 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,770$23.45
25th percentile (early career)$51,410$24.72
50th percentile (median)$62,070$29.84
75th percentile (experienced)$100,760$48.44
90th percentile (top earners)$102,430$49.25

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 7th 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($62,070) 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 Kentucky?
The median Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Kentucky is $62,070 per year, or about $29.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,770 at the entry level to $102,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers about 2% more than the national median of $60,600. Kentucky ranks 7th out of 17 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,070 a year. About 110 Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.