How much does a rail yard engineer make?
The median rail yard engineer in the United States earns $60,600 per year, about $29.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all rail yard engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-4013.
Rail yard engineer salary range
Pay for rail yard engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,540 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,270. The average (mean) wage of $68,450 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,540 | $21.41 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,780 | $25.37 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,600 | $29.14 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,360 | $38.63 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,270 | $48.21 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers (SOC 53-4013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Rail yard engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Rail yard engineers earn the most in West Virginia at $91,380 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $38,980. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $91,380 | 40 |
| Florida | $80,360 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $71,030 | 130 |
| California | $67,160 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,380 | 40 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $62,070 | 110 |
| Colorado | $60,770 | N/A |
| Ohio | $59,460 | N/A |
| Utah | $58,380 | N/A |
| Kansas | $56,090 | N/A |
| Indiana | $54,420 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $54,060 | 60 |
| Texas | $53,130 | 50 |
| Nevada | $48,970 | 40 |
| Alabama | $48,900 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $38,980 | 70 |
State median wages for rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers (SOC 53-4013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for rail yard engineers
The BLS projects employment of rail yard engineers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for rail yard engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a rail yard engineer
The typical entry-level education for rail yard engineers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a rail yard engineer earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (West Virginia, $91,380) and the lowest (Arkansas, $38,980) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,920 people work as rail yard engineers in the United States. At $60,600 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Rail yard engineer salary FAQ
How much does a rail yard engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a rail yard engineer is $29.14. The middle half of rail yard engineers earn between $25.37 and $38.63 per hour.
What is the highest rail yard engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of rail yard engineers earn more than $100,270 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a rail yard engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a rail yard engineer is $60,600. The average (mean) wage of $68,450 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a rail yard engineer a well paid job?
At $60,600 a year, a rail yard engineer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,920 people work as rail yard engineers in the United States.
Which state pays rail yard engineers the most?
West Virginia has the highest median salary for rail yard engineers at $91,380 a year. Florida ($80,360) and New Jersey ($71,030) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a rail yard engineer a good career?
Employment of rail yard engineers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a rail yard engineer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for rail yard engineers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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