Locomotive Engineer Salary
Locomotive Engineers earn a median $81,410 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What locomotive engineers do
Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.5% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,000
Employment of locomotive engineers is projected to grow 0.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Locomotive Engineer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,080
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,047
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,180
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$66,102
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,680 | $29.17 | $50,936 |
| 25th percentile | $75,190 | $36.15 | $61,726 |
| Median (50th) | $81,410 | $39.14 | $66,102 |
| 75th percentile | $93,260 | $44.84 | $74,438 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,220 | $52.51 | $85,666 |
Locomotive Engineer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $109,220 | +1.8% | $80,263 | $61,110 – $110,280 | 1,510 |
| Massachusetts | $108,790 | +3.7% | $80,144 | $84,340 – $168,600 | 640 |
| Mississippi | $96,710 | — | $73,729 | $59,790 – $211,440 | 300 |
| Minnesota | $93,700 | +18.1% | $69,900 | $79,780 – $93,830 | 990 |
| Illinois | $93,320 | +11.5% | $70,006 | $76,190 – $152,420 | 2,340 |
| Indiana | $92,790 | +46.9% | $71,400 | $62,830 – $129,020 | 1,030 |
| Florida | $92,310 | +12.6% | $73,770 | $80,070 – $94,560 | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $91,970 | +6.3% | $69,938 | $60,640 – $127,380 | 260 |
| Virginia | $90,780 | +48.0% | $68,288 | $62,490 – $90,940 | 790 |
| Montana | $90,220 | +11.2% | $68,563 | $80,460 – $126,950 | 470 |
| Iowa | $89,970 | +2.8% | $69,357 | $74,770 – $95,710 | 1,000 |
| Arizona | $89,840 | +10.7% | $69,995 | $81,810 – $93,260 | 490 |
| Colorado | $89,360 | +11.8% | $68,471 | $57,730 – $125,830 | 480 |
| South Carolina | $89,290 | — | $67,445 | $58,350 – $89,290 | 380 |
| New Mexico | $88,330 | — | $67,973 | $83,960 – $92,880 | 440 |
| New Jersey | $86,550 | +2.8% | $66,395 | $85,930 – $107,060 | 830 |
| Wisconsin | $84,550 | +2.9% | $65,210 | $61,780 – $84,600 | 220 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,460 | +1.5% | $64,309 | $60,250 – $100,870 | 1,430 |
| Tennessee | $81,410 | +6.7% | $66,102 | $66,060 – $91,490 | 700 |
| Oregon | $79,130 | +2.5% | $58,404 | $67,440 – $83,630 | 580 |
| Texas | $79,000 | +2.5% | $64,407 | $58,700 – $79,310 | 3,780 |
| Arkansas | $78,930 | +2.5% | $61,492 | $65,050 – $78,930 | 620 |
| Wyoming | $78,910 | +2.5% | $64,343 | $63,440 – $105,080 | — |
| Missouri | $78,820 | +2.5% | $61,513 | $78,750 – $79,040 | 1,110 |
| Kentucky | $77,620 | −2.6% | $60,837 | $61,820 – $98,080 | 540 |
| Alabama | $77,600 | +5.2% | $59,807 | $39,290 – $87,380 | 590 |
| California | $77,070 | +3.2% | $59,093 | $52,260 – $79,940 | 1,570 |
| Kansas | $75,190 | −1.9% | $58,330 | $60,660 – $78,300 | 1,020 |
| Washington | $73,750 | +0.5% | $60,713 | $59,610 – $91,140 | 1,120 |
| New Hampshire | $70,670 | +8.1% | $58,546 | $49,430 – $77,110 | 30 |
| South Dakota | $69,180 | +1.8% | $57,498 | $62,730 – $81,640 | 150 |
| West Virginia | $64,400 | −11.4% | $51,756 | $62,880 – $90,080 | 340 |
| Louisiana | $64,200 | — | $52,225 | $47,180 – $73,630 | 700 |
| Ohio | $63,280 | +1.9% | $52,068 | $63,110 – $77,130 | 200 |
| North Carolina | $61,190 | −4.6% | $49,413 | $59,580 – $70,240 | 340 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $60,600 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $68,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $56,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.4% |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator | $77,320 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.1% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $92,460 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.0% |
| Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.0% |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locomotive engineer make?
The national median salary for locomotive engineers is $81,410 a year ($39.14 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $60,680 and the top 10% earn over $109,220. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays locomotive engineers the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $109,220.
How many locomotive engineers are there in the U.S.?
About 33,470 people work as locomotive engineers nationwide.