How to hire a hostler

How to hire a hostler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step hostler hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a hostler job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new hostler
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The hostler hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a hostler to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a hostler that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of hostler salaries for various roles:

   Type of Hostler	Description	Hourly rate
   Hostler	Workers in railroad occupations ensure that passenger and freight trains run on time and travel safely. Some workers drive trains, some coordinate the activities of the trains, and others operate signals and switches in the rail yard.	$12-26
   Dock Worker	People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships... Show more	$13-20
   Yard Hostler	A yard hostler is responsible for positioning large containers and cars in line with scheduled shipments. They are charged with transporting both full and empty containers in and out of dock doors... Show more	$13-24

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DOT
   • Landing Gear
   • Dock Doors
   • Yard Truck
   • Safety Procedures
   • Electrical Lines
   • Unload Freight
   • Semi Trailers
   • Rail Cars
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Emergency Equipment
   • Computer System
   • Train Yard
   • Yard Goat

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Direct outbound train crew to locomotive departure tracks and direct inbound locomotives within mechanical facility limits to their final destination tracks.
   • Operate 4K and 6K forklifts to load and unload FedEx trailers and support trucks; inventory each shipment prior to departure.

   More hostler duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your hostler job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A hostler can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, hostlers' average salary in florida is 36% less than in wisconsin.
   • Seniority. Entry-level hostlers 51% less than senior-level hostlers.
   • Certifications. A hostler with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a hostler's salary.

   Average hostler salary

   $39,313yearly

   $18.90 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level hostler salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average hostler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$43,907	$21
   2	Washington	$41,943	$20
   3	Texas	$41,148	$20
   4	Iowa	$39,537	$19
   5	Illinois	$38,756	$19
   6	Missouri	$38,275	$18
   7	Kansas	$37,890	$18
   8	Utah	$37,435	$18
   9	California	$37,351	$18
   10	Mississippi	$36,800	$18
   11	Pennsylvania	$35,618	$17
   12	Virginia	$34,321	$17
   13	North Carolina	$32,553	$16
   14	Alabama	$31,864	$15
   15	Florida	$31,507	$15
   16	Oregon	$31,492	$15

   Average hostler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Ryder System	$47,819	$22.99
   2	XPO Logistics	$47,511	$22.84
   3	Elizabeth River Ferry	$46,886	$22.54	1
   4	Oak Harbor Freight Lines	$45,992	$22.11	4
   5	IT TECHNOLOGY	$45,804	$22.02
   6	rms	$45,742	$21.99
   7	Xpress Global Systems	$45,475	$21.86
   8	CEVA Logistics	$42,547	$20.46
   9	Titan Brands	$42,016	$20.20
   10	OnTrac	$41,849	$20.12
   11	Golden State Foods	$41,144	$19.78
   12	Sysco	$40,384	$19.42	2
   13	Florida East Coast Railway	$39,427	$18.96
   14	AAA Cooper Transportation	$39,184	$18.84	3
   15	The SYGMA Network	$37,728	$18.14
   16	Pacific Rail Services LLC	$37,427	$17.99	4
   17	Hirschbach	$37,238	$17.90
   18	Admiral Beverage	$36,931	$17.76
   19	Charlie's Produce	$36,886	$17.73
   20	Core-Mark International	$36,570	$17.58

4. Writing a hostler job description

   A good hostler job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a hostler job description:

   Hostler job description example

   Job DescriptionStaffmark Drivers has a Great Essential Job with GREAT PAY and we are looking to put YOU in the Driver's Seat!This job is Recession Proof!
   Located South of the Columbia River and West of Blue Lake with an easy commute from I84 or I205.
   
   Pay: $28.00 OT paid after 40 hours
   Shift: -Sunday - Thursday-8PM-5AM
   
   Job Details:
   We are looking for Night Shift Hostler with a CDL. You will be setting box trucks and trailers at doors assigned for loading as directed. Your Class A will allow you to take the occasional delivery route if needed. As a hostler you will be responsible for pre and post trips daily, chock rear wheels and follow all safety SOPs.
   
   Job Requirements:
   -Safety comes first at Staffmark Drivers! All drivers cannot exceed any combination of 3 moving violations and/or accidents in the past 3 years.
   -Must possess a valid Class A driver's license and current medical card-Self-Certified Inter-State Non-Excepted
   -Must be registered with FMCSA Clearinghouse
   -Must have 12 months previous verifiable driving experience
   -Must be at least 23 years of age
   
   Driver Perks:
   -Medical, Dental, Vision and Short Term Disability
   -401k
   -Referral Bonus
   -Tenure Bonus to reward your longevity
   -State Sick pay
   -Holiday Pay eligible
   -Staffmark Perks Discounts on Electronics, Food, Movies, Motels and More!
   
   At Staffmark Drivers we are ALL ABOUT THE DRIVER! We strive to place our drivers at the company that best suits their schedule, needs, and experience. We realize the importance of a happy driver and we do our utmost to ensure that not only the customer is satisfied but our drivers are as well!!Company DescriptionLet’s find your next job – together. If you have proven experience operating CDL class A, B, and/or non-CDL equipment, Staffmark Drivers will connect you to a job that works for you. Staffmark Drivers is a proud member of Staffmark Group, an award-winning family of staffing brands with a national network of 450+ offices. We connect over 250,000 people to jobs each year, and we’re ready to put this expertise to work for you! Learn more at www.staffmark.com/drivers.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find hostlers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your hostler job on Zippia to find and recruit hostler candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit hostlers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new hostler

   Once you've selected the best hostler candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new hostler. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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