Locomotive Engineers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for locomotive engineers in the United States was $81,410 ($39.14 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| 25th | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Median | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| 75th | $93,260 | $44.84 |
| 90th | $109,220 | $52.51 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 53-4011
- Total U.S. employment: 33,470
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $60,680, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $109,220 — a 1.8x gap between entry-level and top earners.
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $60,680, median pay is $81,410, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $109,220.
Locomotive Engineers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $77,600 | $37.31 | -4.7% | 590 |
| Arizona | $89,840 | $43.19 | +10.4% | 490 |
| Arkansas | $78,930 | $37.95 | -3.0% | 620 |
| California | $77,070 | $37.06 | -5.3% | 1,570 |
| Colorado | $89,360 | $42.96 | +9.8% | 480 |
| Delaware | — | — | — | 290 |
| Florida | $92,310 | $44.38 | +13.4% | 350 |
| Illinois | $93,320 | $44.87 | +14.6% | 2,340 |
| Indiana | $92,790 | $44.61 | +14.0% | 1,030 |
| Iowa | $89,970 | $43.25 | +10.5% | 1,000 |
| Kansas | $75,190 | $36.15 | -7.6% | 1,020 |
| Kentucky | $77,620 | $37.32 | -4.7% | 540 |
| Louisiana | $64,200 | $30.87 | -21.1% | 700 |
| Massachusetts | $108,790 | $52.31 | +33.6% | 640 |
| Minnesota | $93,700 | $45.05 | +15.1% | 990 |
| Mississippi | $96,710 | $46.50 | +18.8% | 300 |
| Missouri | $78,820 | $37.90 | -3.2% | 1,110 |
| Montana | $90,220 | $43.38 | +10.8% | 470 |
| New Hampshire | $70,670 | $33.98 | -13.2% | 30 |
| New Jersey | $86,550 | $41.61 | +6.3% | 830 |
| New Mexico | $88,330 | $42.47 | +8.5% | 440 |
| New York | $109,220 | $52.51 | +34.2% | 1,510 |
| North Carolina | $61,190 | $29.42 | -24.8% | 340 |
| Ohio | $63,280 | $30.42 | -22.3% | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $91,970 | $44.21 | +13.0% | 260 |
| Oregon | $79,130 | $38.05 | -2.8% | 580 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,460 | $39.64 | +1.3% | 1,430 |
| South Carolina | $89,290 | $42.93 | +9.7% | 380 |
| South Dakota | $69,180 | $33.26 | -15.0% | 150 |
| Tennessee | $81,410 | $39.14 | 0.0% | 700 |
| Texas | $79,000 | $37.98 | -3.0% | 3,780 |
| Virginia | $90,780 | $43.64 | +11.5% | 790 |
| Washington | $73,750 | $35.46 | -9.4% | 1,120 |
| West Virginia | $64,400 | $30.96 | -20.9% | 340 |
| Wisconsin | $84,550 | $40.65 | +3.9% | 220 |
| Wyoming | $78,910 | $37.94 | -3.1% | 0 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators — $44,650/yr
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,970/yr
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,670/yr
- Security Guards — $38,020/yr
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $69,990/yr
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $72,080/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for locomotive engineers?
The median annual wage for locomotive engineers is $81,410 ($39.14 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays locomotive engineers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many locomotive engineers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 33,470 locomotive engineers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do locomotive engineers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $39.14. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.