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Yard switch operator salary
Average yard switch operator salary
$37,724
Understanding Yard Switch Operator Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Yard Switch Operator is around $37,724 annually. This position plays a crucial role in the logistics and transportation industry, primarily responsible for coordinating the movement of freight cars within rail yards. Job responsibilities include coupling and uncoupling cars, operating track switches, and ensuring safety protocols are followed.
Salary levels can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, geographic location, and the industry of employment. For instance, operators in metropolitan areas may earn more than those in rural settings due to demand and cost of living adjustments. Additionally, working in specialized sectors, such as intermodal transportation or freight forwarding, can lead to higher pay.
Highest Paying States and Cities
Some of the highest paying states for yard switch operators include California, Texas, and New York. Cities like Los Angeles and Chicago often offer competitive wages, reflecting the higher cost of living and job demand in those areas.
For individuals looking to advance in their careers, gaining experience and pursuing certifications can lead to better job opportunities and increased salaries.
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Where can a Yard Switch Operator earn more?
Average yard switch operator salary by state
The average yard switch operator salary in Alaska, Michigan, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average yard switch operator salary states are South Carolina, Mississippi, and Washington.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for yard switch operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $44,639 | $21.46 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $38,513 | $18.52 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $39,109 | $18.80 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $38,387 | $18.46 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $36,415 | $17.51 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $38,487 | $18.50 |
| 7 | Ohio | $36,059 | $17.34 |
| 8 | Michigan | $39,384 | $18.93 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $36,856 | $17.72 |
| 10 | Iowa | $36,788 | $17.69 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $36,168 | $17.39 |
| 12 | South Dakota | $35,178 | $16.91 |
| 13 | Hawaii | $37,658 | $18.10 |
| 14 | Montana | $34,626 | $16.65 |
| 15 | Indiana | $34,414 | $16.55 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $36,677 | $17.63 |
| 17 | Illinois | $37,373 | $17.97 |
| 18 | New York | $39,174 | $18.83 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $35,971 | $17.29 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $34,007 | $16.35 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $32,946 | $15.84 |
| 22 | Maryland | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $34,463 | $16.57 |
| 24 | Vermont | $36,068 | $17.34 |
| 25 | Delaware | $35,660 | $17.14 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $32,855 | $15.80 |
| 27 | Kansas | $32,557 | $15.65 |
| 28 | Oregon | $31,198 | $15.00 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $33,488 | $16.10 |
| 30 | Utah | $29,307 | $14.09 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $30,625 | $14.72 |
| 32 | Maine | $30,599 | $14.71 |
| 33 | California | $32,414 | $15.58 |
| 34 | Colorado | $30,541 | $14.68 |
| 35 | Missouri | $31,756 | $15.27 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $28,777 | $13.84 |
| 38 | Alabama | $28,506 | $13.70 |
| 39 | Georgia | $29,278 | $14.08 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $27,918 | $13.42 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $27,399 | $13.17 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $30,531 | $14.68 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $29,833 | $14.34 |
| 44 | Washington | $26,580 | $12.78 |
| 45 | Texas | $29,731 | $14.29 |
| 46 | Nevada | $29,688 | $14.27 |
| 47 | Florida | $27,988 | $13.46 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $26,444 | $12.71 |
| 49 | Virginia | $27,966 | $13.45 |
| 50 | Arizona | $26,057 | $12.53 |
| 51 | Idaho | $25,671 | $12.34 |
Highest paying cities for yard switch operators
The highest-paying cities for yard switch operators are North Bergen, NJ, Cottage Grove, MN, and Des Moines, IA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Bergen, NJ | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| 2 | Cottage Grove, MN | $38,369 | $18.45 |
| 3 | Des Moines, IA | $36,388 | $17.49 |
| 4 | Georgetown, KY | $33,284 | $16.00 |
| 5 | Evansville, IN | $31,777 | $15.28 |
| 6 | Garner, NC | $30,934 | $14.87 |
| 7 | Kingsport, TN | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $29,504 | $14.18 |
| 9 | Grand Prairie, TX | $29,416 | $14.14 |
| 10 | Birmingham, AL | $28,686 | $13.79 |
| 11 | Spartanburg, SC | $28,591 | $13.75 |
| 12 | Port Orange, FL | $27,898 | $13.41 |
| 13 | Salem, VA | $27,024 | $12.99 |
| 14 | Goodyear, AZ | $26,145 | $12.57 |
Yard switch operator salary details
A yard switch operator's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $57,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a yard switch operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $37,724 | $3,144 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying yard switch operator jobs
The highest paying types of yard switch operators are switch operators supervisor, signal operator, and switch operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yard Jockey | $44,440 | $3,703 | $21.37 | 3,910 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
Top companies hiring yard switch operators now:
Which companies pay yard switch operators the most?
Yard switch operator salaries at Meritor and Papa John's International are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average yard switch operator salary at companies like XPO Logistics and National Retail Systems, Inc. are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meritor | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| 2 | Papa John's International | $47,335 | $22.76 |
| 3 | XPO Logistics | $46,259 | $22.24 |
| 4 | National Retail Systems, Inc. | $45,965 | $22.10 |
| 5 | ProDrivers | $45,953 | $22.09 |
| 6 | Andersen | $45,607 | $21.93 |
| 7 | Ryder System | $45,371 | $21.81 |
| 8 | YRC Freight | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| 9 | Capstone Logistics | $35,338 | $16.99 |
| 10 | Gordon Food Service | $34,854 | $16.76 |
| 11 | Averitt Express | $34,517 | $16.59 |
| 12 | PVH | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| 13 | Spec's | $34,039 | $16.36 |
| 14 | Jo-Ann Stores | $30,044 | $14.44 |
| 15 | NESCO | $29,964 | $14.41 |
| 16 | Party City | $29,746 | $14.30 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Yard Switch Operator salary by industry
The average yard switch operator salary varies across industries:
- The average yard switch operator salary in the hospitality industry is $47,308, the highest of any industry.
- The average yard switch operator salary in the finance industry is $42,444.
- Yard switch operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $29,278, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for yard switch operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospitality | $47,308 | $22.74 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $42,444 | $20.41 |
| 3 | Transportation | $40,941 | $19.68 |
| 4 | Retail | $29,278 | $14.08 |
High paying yard switch operator jobs
Yard switch operator salary trends
The average yard switch operator salary has risen by $5,872 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average yard switch operator earned $31,852 annually, but today, they earn $37,724 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for yard switch operators over the last decade.
Compare yard switch operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average yard switch operator salary over time
Compare yard switch operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Yard switch operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $37,700 | $18.14 | -0.7% |
| 2025 | $38,000 | $18.27 | +4.8% |
| 2024 | $36,200 | $17.39 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | $36,200 | $17.39 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $35,700 | $17.18 | +4.5% |
Recently added yard switch operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Logistics Holdings | Class A Yard Switcher Needed! | Memphis, TN | 06/29/2025 | $43,827 |
| Universal Logistics Holdings | Class A Yard Switcher! | LaGrange, GA | 06/29/2025 | $43,827 |
| Universal Logistics Holdings | Yard Switcher | Louisville, KY | 06/29/2025 | $59,480 |
| Universal Logistics Holdings | Class A Yard Switcher! | Lincoln, AL | 06/29/2025 | $48,001 |
| Universal Logistics Holdings | CDL A Yard Switcher | Lansing, MI | 06/29/2025 | $48,377 |
| Transforce Inc. | CDL A Home Daily Yard Switcher-2Nd Shift Benefits | Cleveland, TN | 06/27/2025 | $48,001 |
| Keystone Freight Corp./National Retail Transport | Local Cdl-A Yard Switcher | Savannah, GA | 06/23/2025 | $52,175 |
| Keystone Freight Corp./National Retail Transport | CDL A Yard Switcher | Sayre, PA | 06/23/2025 | $52,175 |
| Thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services Na | Local Night Shift Yard Switcher | Greer, SC | 06/05/2025 | $50,088 |
| Thyssenkrupp | Local Night Shift Yard Switcher | Greer, SC | 06/03/2025 | $50,088 |
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