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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$59,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#9 of 17
state estimate

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

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers working in Ohio earn a median salary of $59,460 per year, or about $28.59 per hour. That is 2% below the national median of $60,600 for this occupation.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $50,480 while the top 10% make $68,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,330 and $59,500 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$50,480$24.27
25th percentile (early career)$59,330$28.52
50th percentile (median)$59,460$28.59
75th percentile (experienced)$59,500$28.61
90th percentile (top earners)$68,480$32.92

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 9th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($59,460) 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 Ohio?
The median Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Ohio is $59,460 per year, or about $28.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,480 at the entry level to $68,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers about 2% less than the national median of $60,600. Ohio ranks 9th out of 17 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,460 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.