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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$53,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#14 of 17
50 employed here

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

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers working in Texas earn a median salary of $53,130 per year, or about $25.54 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $60,600 for this occupation.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $44,540 while the top 10% make $101,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,630 and $101,310 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,540$21.41
25th percentile (early career)$48,630$23.38
50th percentile (median)$53,130$25.54
75th percentile (experienced)$101,310$48.71
90th percentile (top earners)$101,310$48.71

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 14th 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($53,130) 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 Texas?
The median Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers salary in Texas is $53,130 per year, or about $25.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,540 at the entry level to $101,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers about 12% less than the national median of $60,600. Texas ranks 14th out of 17 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $53,130 a year. About 50 Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers are employed in Texas. 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), 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.