Locomotive Engineer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Locomotive Engineers Make?
Locomotive Engineers earn a median annual salary of $77,400 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $60,980 at the 10th percentile to $100,690 at the 90th percentile — a range of $39,710. The highest-paying state is New York at $107,290.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,980 |
| 25th percentile | $73,410 |
| Median (50th) | $77,400 |
| 75th percentile | $84,230 |
| 90th percentile | $100,690 |
Locomotive Engineer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $107,290 |
| Massachusetts | $104,950 |
| Connecticut | $103,010 |
| Iowa | $87,550 |
| Oklahoma | $86,520 |
| Nebraska | $84,870 |
| New Jersey | $84,230 |
| Illinois | $83,690 |
| Delaware | $82,920 |
| Wisconsin | $82,190 |
| Florida | $82,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,210 |
| Arizona | $81,170 |
| Montana | $81,160 |
| Colorado | $79,960 |
| Utah | $79,800 |
| Kentucky | $79,690 |
| Minnesota | $79,370 |
| Oregon | $77,210 |
| Texas | $77,080 |
| Arkansas | $77,010 |
| Wyoming | $76,990 |
| Missouri | $76,910 |
| Kansas | $76,680 |
| Tennessee | $76,290 |
| Georgia | $75,680 |
| California | $74,710 |
| Alabama | $73,780 |
| Washington | $73,410 |
| West Virginia | $72,660 |
| South Dakota | $67,950 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| North Carolina | $64,110 |
| Indiana | $63,160 |
| Ohio | $62,130 |
| Virginia | $61,350 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Locomotive Engineers
Locomotive Engineer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$60,980 – $73,410 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$77,400 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$84,230 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $100,690+ |
How to Earn More as a Locomotive Engineer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Locomotive Engineers in New York earn $107,290 — $29,890 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($84,230) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Locomotive Engineer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineerthis career | $77,400 |
| Dispatcher | $48,880 |
| Construction Equipment Operator | $58,710 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialist | $60,640 |
| Signal and Track Switch Repairer | $83,600 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Locomotive Engineer requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 53-4011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.