How much does a locomotive engineer make?
The median locomotive engineer in the United States earns $77,400 per year, about $37.21 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all locomotive engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-4011.
Locomotive engineer salary range
Pay for locomotive engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $60,980 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,690. The average (mean) wage of $81,540 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,980 | $29.32 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $73,410 | $35.29 | |
| Median (50th) | $77,400 | $37.21 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $84,230 | $40.49 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,690 | $48.41 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for locomotive engineers (SOC 53-4011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Locomotive engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Locomotive engineers earn the most in New York at $107,290 a year, and the least in Virginia at $61,350. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $107,290 | 1,290 |
| Massachusetts | $104,950 | 500 |
| Connecticut | $103,010 | 360 |
| Iowa | $87,550 | 1,520 |
| Oklahoma | $86,520 | 330 |
| Nebraska | $84,870 | 720 |
| New Jersey | $84,230 | N/A |
| Illinois | $83,690 | 2,130 |
| Delaware | $82,920 | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $82,190 | 400 |
| Florida | $82,000 | 620 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,210 | 1,460 |
| Arizona | $81,170 | 380 |
| Montana | $81,160 | 970 |
| Colorado | $79,960 | 450 |
| Utah | $79,800 | 350 |
| Kentucky | $79,690 | 400 |
| Minnesota | $79,370 | 730 |
| Oregon | $77,210 | 530 |
| Texas | $77,080 | 4,040 |
| Arkansas | $77,010 | 700 |
| Wyoming | $76,990 | N/A |
| Missouri | $76,910 | 810 |
| Kansas | $76,680 | 990 |
| Tennessee | $76,290 | 610 |
| Georgia | $75,680 | 870 |
| California | $74,710 | 1,670 |
| Alabama | $73,780 | 490 |
| Washington | $73,410 | 810 |
| West Virginia | $72,660 | 220 |
| South Dakota | $67,950 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $64,110 | 260 |
| Indiana | $63,160 | 860 |
| Ohio | $62,130 | 190 |
| Virginia | $61,350 | 520 |
State median wages for locomotive engineers (SOC 53-4011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for locomotive engineers
The BLS projects employment of locomotive engineers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 27,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 27,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,000 openings a year for locomotive engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a locomotive engineer
The typical entry-level education for locomotive engineers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a locomotive engineer earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $107,290) and the lowest (Virginia, $61,350) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 31,990 people work as locomotive engineers in the United States. At $77,400 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Locomotive engineer salary FAQ
How much does a locomotive engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a locomotive engineer is $37.21. The middle half of locomotive engineers earn between $35.29 and $40.49 per hour.
What is the highest locomotive engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of locomotive engineers earn more than $100,690 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a locomotive engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a locomotive engineer is $77,400. The average (mean) wage of $81,540 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a locomotive engineer a well paid job?
At $77,400 a year, a locomotive engineer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 31,990 people work as locomotive engineers in the United States.
Which state pays locomotive engineers the most?
New York has the highest median salary for locomotive engineers at $107,290 a year. Massachusetts ($104,950) and Connecticut ($103,010) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a locomotive engineer a good career?
Employment of locomotive engineers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.5% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a locomotive engineer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for locomotive engineers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Transportation salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.