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. Excludes “Engineers” (17-2011 through 17-2199).
National median · BLS
$81,410
▲ +5.18%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$85,900
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
33,470
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Locomotive Engineers
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$60,680
25th
$75,190
Median (50th)
$81,410
75th
$93,260
90th — top pay
$109,220
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Locomotive Engineers
BLS projects employment of locomotive engineers to grow 0.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 2,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
27,400 → 27,600
+100 jobs
Projected change
+0.5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
2,000
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Plus less than 5 years experience
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
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Locomotive Engineers salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
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Skills & tools
Skills needed for Locomotive Engineers
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Operation and Control4.3
Operations Monitoring4.1
Monitoring3.9
Critical Thinking3.6
Active Listening3.5
Speaking3.4
Judgment and Decision Making3.3
Reading Comprehension3.1
Active Learning3.0
Complex Problem Solving3.0
Top knowledge areas
Transportation4.0
Public Safety and Security3.5
Mechanical3.3
Mathematics3.0
Customer and Personal Service2.9
Education and Training2.8
English Language2.8
Law and Government2.8
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft WordElectronic train management systems ETMSRoute mapping softwareTime tracking software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What locomotive engineers do
Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Locomotive Engineers, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $81,410.
