How much does a locomotive engineer make in California?
$77,070a year
Median yearly pay for locomotive engineers in California. That is $37.05 an hour or $6,423 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.05
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among states
- 27 of 35
- Jobs in the state
- 1,570
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,260Median: $77,070Highest 10%: $79,940
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,260 | $25.13 | |
| 25th | $74,370 | $35.75 | |
| Median | $77,070 | $37.05 | |
| 75th | $79,940 | $38.43 | |
| 90th | $79,940 | $38.43 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Los Angeles, CA | $63,700 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for locomotive engineers.
| 24. Missouri | $78,820 |
| 25. Kentucky | $77,620 |
| 26. Alabama | $77,600 |
| 27. California | $77,070 |
| 28. Kansas | $75,190 |
| 29. Washington | $73,750 |
| 30. New Hampshire | $70,670 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locomotive engineer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $37.05 ($77,070 a year).
Do locomotive engineers make more in California than the national average?
No: $77,070 against $81,410 nationally, 5% less.
Where does California rank for locomotive engineer pay?
California ranks 27 of 35 states.
Which city in California pays locomotive engineers the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with a median of $63,700 a year.
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.