How much does a rail yard engineer make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $29.13 an hour or $5,050 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.13
- Average (mean)
- $68,450
- Jobs
- 3,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,540 | $21.41 | |
| 25th | $52,780 | $25.38 | |
| Median | $60,600 | $29.13 | |
| 75th | $80,360 | $38.63 | |
| 90th | $100,300 | $48.21 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| West Virginia | $91,380 |
| Florida | $80,360 |
| New Jersey | $71,030 |
| California | $67,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,380 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 |
| Kentucky | $62,070 |
| Colorado | $60,770 |
| Ohio | $59,460 |
| Utah | $58,380 |
| Kansas | $56,090 |
| Indiana | $54,420 |
| Tennessee | $54,060 |
| Texas | $53,130 |
| Nevada | $48,970 |
| Alabama | $48,900 |
| Arkansas | $38,980 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Salt Lake City, UT | $61,230 |
| New York, NY | $53,890 |
In other countries
Rail Yard Engineer belongs to the international group "Locomotive engine drivers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Locomotive Engineer$81,410
- Railroad Brake$68,840
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Subway and Streetcar Operator$86,380
- Rail Transportation Worker$56,360
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rail yard engineer make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $29.13 ($60,600 a year).
How much does a rail yard engineer make a month?
About $5,050 a month before tax, based on a median of $60,600 a year.
How much does a rail yard engineer make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $44,540 or less a year ($21.41 an hour); the top 10% make $100,300 or more.
Which state pays rail yard engineers the most?
West Virginia, with a median of $91,380 a year, followed by Florida ($80,360) and New Jersey ($71,030).
Which city pays rail yard engineers the most?
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT, with a median of $61,230 a year.
How many rail yard engineers are there in the United States?
About 3,920 people work as rail yard engineers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.