Transportation and material moving
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
Median pay
$60,600
Growth to 2035
+1%
little or no change
Openings a year
300
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers: 28% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
- Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
- Apply and release hand brakes.
- Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
- Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
- Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
- Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
- Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.
Also called: Carman · Engineer · Hostler · Rail Yard Engineer · Railcar Switcher · Railroad Engineer · Switchman · Yard Engineer
Outlook and AI
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers held 3,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 3,600 by 2035 (+1%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Locomotive engineer
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Railroad conductors and yardmasters
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Industrial truck and tractor operators
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Truck driver
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Tank car, truck, and ship loaders
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Hoist and winch operators
- Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers vs. Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining