How to hire a yard hostler

How to hire a yard hostler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step yard 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 yard hostler job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new yard hostler
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a yard hostler do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the yard hostler you need to hire. Certain yard hostler roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect yard hostler also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

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

   Type of Yard Hostler	Description	Hourly rate
   Yard 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.	$13-24
   Yard Jockey	A yard jockey is responsible for identifying reliable and efficient equipment to support a warehouse or distribution center's daily operations, especially on manufacturing processes and delivery tasks. Yard jockeys negotiate with transportation and equipment suppliers with minimal costs but high-quality performance... Show more	$15-27

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Dock Doors
   • DOT
   • Landing Gear
   • Yard Truck
   • Spot Trailers
   • Yard Goat
   • Pre-trip
   • Shuttle Trailers
   • Inbound Trailers
   • Yard Locations
   • Inbound Freight
   • Outbound Trailers
   • Load Trailers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Cut blackboard, operate skylift, forklift, bobcat, tractor.
   • Load double trailers and flatbeds with rock or sand using bobcat forklift.
   • Inspect, put trailer to dock for loading and unloading, pull trailer to lots for driver pickup
   • Rake leaves, cut, and water grass and pick up garbage to maintain grounds and yards.
   • Operate locomotives in and out of roundhouse to couple, uncouple, switch and build consist for outbound trains.
   • Assist in cutting grass, trimming hedges, pulling weeds, planting flowers, applying chemicals to kill weeds.

   More yard hostler duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your yard hostler job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A yard hostler salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, yard hostlers' average salary in florida is 51% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level yard hostlers earn 43% less than senior-level yard hostlers.
   • Certifications. A yard hostler with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a yard hostler's salary.

   Average yard hostler salary

   $38,648yearly

   $18.58 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level yard hostler salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

   Average yard hostler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$43,362	$21
   2	Nevada	$43,138	$21
   3	Massachusetts	$41,227	$20
   4	California	$41,008	$20
   5	Utah	$39,929	$19
   6	Montana	$39,439	$19
   7	Illinois	$38,959	$19
   8	Kansas	$37,560	$18
   9	Oregon	$36,564	$18
   10	Minnesota	$36,364	$17
   11	Ohio	$36,182	$17
   12	Colorado	$35,792	$17
   13	Missouri	$35,193	$17
   14	Texas	$33,824	$16
   15	Arizona	$33,476	$16
   16	Georgia	$29,549	$14

   Average yard hostler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Ryder System	$45,209	$21.74	10
   2	Dairy Farmers of America	$42,920	$20.63	13
   3	United Natural Foods	$42,767	$20.56	1
   4	Stericycle	$41,075	$19.75	5
   5	Tesla	$40,467	$19.46	2
   6	KeHE	$39,857	$19.16	1
   7	Peet's Coffee	$39,512	$19.00
   8	CPC Logistics	$39,480	$18.98
   9	Parker Global Strategies	$39,241	$18.87	5
   10	Bah Express	$38,599	$18.56
   11	DSV Panalpina	$38,522	$18.52	6
   12	Neovia Logistics	$38,461	$18.49
   13	Geodis Wilson USA Inc	$38,121	$18.33
   14	Hollingsworth	$38,106	$18.32
   15	ProDrivers	$38,054	$18.30	8
   16	Southern Glazer's	$37,884	$18.21	1
   17	AKA	$37,717	$18.13
   18	Centerline Solutions	$37,687	$18.12	5
   19	The Complete Logistics Company	$37,529	$18.04
   20	J W Logistics Inc	$37,519	$18.04

4. Writing a yard hostler job description

   A yard hostler job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a yard hostler job description:

   Yard hostler job description example

   • High school diploma or equivalency plus 1 year of experience
   • Ability to regularly lift and/or move more than 60 pounds (lbs.) repetitively

   Preferred Qualifications

   • Strong communication skills – written, verbal, persuasion, motivation, facilitation of strong working relationships
   • Knowledge of other MS Office Suite and/or software applications related to job functions
   • Excellent interpersonal, customer service, analytical/problem solving, problem management, presentation development, presentation, and communications skills
   • While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to fumes
   • Knowledge using hand-held scanners, Truck/Trailer loading, operating lift machines, driving, and parking tractor-trailer
   • Knowledge of basic mathematical concepts (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, percentages, etc.)
   • Knowledge of applicable driving rules and regulations
   • Knowledge of Department of Transportation rules and regulations
   • Knowledge of the delivery area and alternate routes

   Physical Demands

   • Physical demands with activity or condition for a considerable amount of time include sitting and typing/keyboarding using a computer (e.g., keyboard, mouse, and monitor) or mobile device
   • Physical demands with activity or condition may occasionally include walking, bending, reaching, standing, and stooping
   • May require occasional lifting/lowering, pushing, carrying, or pulling up to 60lbs

   Job Type: Full-time

   Company DescriptionJ.W. Logistics, LLC is a national provider of final-mile and middle-mile delivery solutions for premier e-commerce businesses to develop solutions to expedite transit times, increase efficiency, while reducing costs. Growing to over 70 markets nationwide, J.W. Logistics has been named to the Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing privately held companies for 5 years since the company’s start in 2011.
   
   We know the basis of our success is not only HOW we operate, but WHY we do it. Strategically partnering with businesses allows us to create a greater overall experience not only for our customers, but the consumers. At J.W. Logistics, we know we are only as good as our last delivery and take pride in maintaining a standard of excellence throughout the entire delivery process.
   
   J.W. Logistics is a company comprised of highly motivated individuals that have the vision to continue our business forward and seek out the most qualified individuals who are eager to embrace the rapid growth rate, customer-obsessed culture, and commitment to excellence.
   
   At J.W. Logistics, we celebrate success, encourage creativity, and prosper together.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right yard hostler for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with yard hostler candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 yard hostler

   Once you've selected the best yard 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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How much does it cost to hire a yard hostler?