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.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
25 tasks analyzed
Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information. | - | - | - |
| Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones. | - | - | - |
| Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors. | - | - | - |
| Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars. | - | - | - |
| Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation. | - | - | - |
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$58,030
per year
Mean Wage
$60,810
per year
Employment
3K
workers
Wage Range
$44,510 - $79,070
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Unlock full analysis
- Career recommendations & strategies
- Full skill & task breakdowns
- Score history & personalized action plan
Awaiting Assessment
This occupation has 25 tasks in the database and is queued for the next scoring run. Risk scores, protective factors, and skill gaps will appear once the assessment completes.