Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers vs. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand: Who Earns More?
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers out-earn Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand by $20K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers land at $60,600 and Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand at $40,240. The education gap is real: rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostler programs typically require no formal educational credential, while laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers is West Virginia ($91,380); for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand it's Minnesota ($46,280).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers earn more nationally. The median is $60,600 for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers versus $40,240 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, a difference of $20K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand has the better 10-year outlook at 1.5% projected growth, compared to 0.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers typically requires no formal educational credential. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers get paid the most?
West Virginia is the top-paying state for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers at $91,380/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers vs. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In West Virginia, Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers earn $91,380 vs. $36,990 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.