How much does a locomotive engineer make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $39.14 an hour or $6,784 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.14
- Average (mean)
- $85,900
- Jobs
- 33,470
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,680 | $29.17 | |
| 25th | $75,190 | $36.15 | |
| Median | $81,410 | $39.14 | |
| 75th | $93,260 | $44.84 | |
| 90th | $109,200 | $52.51 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| New York | $109,200 |
| Massachusetts | $108,800 |
| Mississippi | $96,710 |
| Minnesota | $93,700 |
| Illinois | $93,320 |
| Indiana | $92,790 |
| Florida | $92,310 |
| Oklahoma | $91,970 |
| Virginia | $90,780 |
| Montana | $90,220 |
| Iowa | $89,970 |
| Arizona | $89,840 |
| Colorado | $89,360 |
| South Carolina | $89,290 |
| New Mexico | $88,330 |
| New Jersey | $86,550 |
| Wisconsin | $84,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,460 |
| Tennessee | $81,410 |
| Oregon | $79,130 |
| Texas | $79,000 |
| Arkansas | $78,930 |
| Wyoming | $78,910 |
| Missouri | $78,820 |
| Kentucky | $77,620 |
| Alabama | $77,600 |
| California | $77,070 |
| Kansas | $75,190 |
| Washington | $73,750 |
| New Hampshire | $70,670 |
| South Dakota | $69,180 |
| West Virginia | $64,400 |
| Louisiana | $64,200 |
| Ohio | $63,280 |
| North Carolina | $61,190 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Dallas, TX | $65,340 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $63,700 |
| Houston, TX | $57,140 |
In other countries
Locomotive Engineer belongs to the international group "Locomotive engine drivers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Rail Yard Engineer$60,600
- Railroad Brake$68,840
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Subway and Streetcar Operator$86,380
- Rail Transportation Worker$56,360
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locomotive engineer make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $39.14 ($81,410 a year).
How much does a locomotive engineer make a month?
About $6,784 a month before tax, based on a median of $81,410 a year.
How much does a locomotive engineer make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $60,680 or less a year ($29.17 an hour); the top 10% make $109,200 or more.
Which state pays locomotive engineers the most?
New York, with a median of $109,200 a year, followed by Massachusetts ($108,800) and Mississippi ($96,710).
Which city pays locomotive engineers the most?
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, with a median of $65,340 a year.
How many locomotive engineers are there in the United States?
About 33,470 people work as locomotive engineers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.