Top 3 cities for locomotive engineers by average salary
| Los Angeles, CA | $98,260 |
|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | $61,580 |
| Houston, TX | $57,440 |
Map: Locomotive Engineers salary by metro area
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Locomotive Engineers salary by state
Mississippi pays locomotive engineers the most statewide, $125,980 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $125,980 | $96,710 | 300 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $118,340 | $108,790 | 640 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $102,480 | $93,320 | 2,340 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New York | $98,720 | $109,220 | 1,510 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | $95,640 | $90,220 | 470 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | $93,850 | $92,310 | 350 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma | $93,560 | $91,970 | 260 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $92,960 | $89,360 | 480 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona | $91,490 | $89,840 | 490 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $90,740 | $92,790 | 1,030 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $88,730 | $93,700 | 990 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $88,640 | $86,550 | 830 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Mexico | $86,590 | $88,330 | 440 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Iowa | $86,180 | $89,970 | 1,000 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $85,470 | $81,410 | 700 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $85,310 | $90,780 | 790 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wyoming | $84,680 | $78,910 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | $83,310 | $77,620 | 540 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $83,100 | $89,290 | 380 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $79,680 | $82,460 | 1,430 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $78,270 | $78,820 | 1,110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $77,030 | $84,550 | 220 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $76,640 | $79,130 | 580 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington | $76,070 | $73,750 | 1,120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | $75,780 | $78,930 | 620 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| California | $75,600 | $77,070 | 1,570 | 1 | $98,260 | $98,260 |
| Texas | $73,530 | $79,000 | 3,780 | 2 | $61,580 | $57,440 |
| Kansas | $72,180 | $75,190 | 1,020 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $70,290 | $77,600 | 590 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Dakota | $70,010 | $69,180 | 150 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| West Virginia | $67,970 | $64,400 | 340 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Hampshire | $66,920 | $70,670 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $66,350 | $63,280 | 200 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $64,920 | $64,200 | 700 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Carolina | $61,880 | $61,190 | 340 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Locomotive Engineers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $98,260 | $63,700 | $47.24 | 40 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,580 | $65,340 | $29.61 | 250 |
| Houston, TX | $57,440 | $57,140 | $27.62 | 100 |
Related jobs
- Subway and Streetcar OperatorsU.S. average $77,170
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive FirersU.S. average $69,030
- Railroad Conductors and YardmastersU.S. average $79,100
- Rail Transportation Workers, All OtherU.S. average $60,140
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and HostlersU.S. average $68,450
Locomotive Engineers salary: questions
Where do locomotive engineers make the most money?
In Los Angeles, CA, with an average of $98,260 a year, among the 3 metro areas we cover.
What is the average locomotive engineers salary in the U.S.?
$85,900 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $81,410, so half of locomotive engineers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should locomotive engineers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of locomotive engineers nationwide earn between $75,190 (25th percentile) and $93,260 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays locomotive engineers the most?
Mississippi, with a statewide average of $125,980 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-4011.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.