Locomotive Engineers
SOC code 53-4011 · O*NET-SOC 53-4011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Locomotive Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$81,410
a year
Hourly
$39.14
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$85,900
$41.30 per hour
Middle 50%
$75,190 – $93,260
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$60,680 – $109,220
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
33,470
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $60,680
- $29.17/hr
- 25th percentile
- $75,190
- $36.15/hr
- Median percentile
- $81,410
- $39.14/hr
- 75th percentile
- $93,260
- $44.84/hr
- 90th percentile
- $109,220
- $52.51/hr
What does a locomotive engineer do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a locomotive engineer
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a locomotive engineer earn?
The national median is $81,410 a year. The full range runs from $60,680 at the 10th percentile to $109,220 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a locomotive engineer without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Speaking3.4/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Transportation4.0/5
- Public Safety and Security3.5/5
- Mechanical3.3/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.9/5
- Education and Training2.8/5
- English Language2.8/5
- Law and Government2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination.