Locomotive Engineers Salary by State
The national median pay for locomotive engineers is $81,410 a year. By state, it ranges from $61,190 in North Carolina to $109,220 in New York.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $60,680
- 25th percentile
- $75,190
- Median
- $81,410
- 75th percentile
- $93,260
- Top 10%
- $109,220
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 33,470 jobs.
Median pay in 35 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $109,220 | +34% | $61,110 | $110,280 | 1,510 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $108,790 | +34% | $84,340 | $168,600 | 640 |
| 3 | Mississippi | $96,710 | +19% | $59,790 | $211,440 | 300 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $93,700 | +15% | $79,780 | $93,830 | 990 |
| 5 | Illinois | $93,320 | +15% | $76,190 | $152,420 | 2,340 |
| 6 | Indiana | $92,790 | +14% | $62,830 | $129,020 | 1,030 |
| 7 | Florida | $92,310 | +13% | $80,070 | $94,560 | 350 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $91,970 | +13% | $60,640 | $127,380 | 260 |
| 9 | Virginia | $90,780 | +12% | $62,490 | $90,940 | 790 |
| 10 | Montana | $90,220 | +11% | $80,460 | $126,950 | 470 |
| 11 | Iowa | $89,970 | +11% | $74,770 | $95,710 | 1,000 |
| 12 | Arizona | $89,840 | +10% | $81,810 | $93,260 | 490 |
| 13 | Colorado | $89,360 | +10% | $57,730 | $125,830 | 480 |
| 14 | South Carolina | $89,290 | +10% | $58,350 | $89,290 | 380 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $88,330 | +9% | $83,960 | $92,880 | 440 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $86,550 | +6% | $85,930 | $107,060 | 830 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $84,550 | +4% | $61,780 | $84,600 | 220 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $82,460 | +1% | $60,250 | $100,870 | 1,430 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $81,410 | 0% | $66,060 | $91,490 | 700 |
| 20 | Oregon | $79,130 | −3% | $67,440 | $83,630 | 580 |
| 21 | Texas | $79,000 | −3% | $58,700 | $79,310 | 3,780 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $78,930 | −3% | $65,050 | $78,930 | 620 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $78,910 | −3% | $63,440 | $105,080 | Not published |
| 24 | Missouri | $78,820 | −3% | $78,750 | $79,040 | 1,110 |
| 25 | Kentucky | $77,620 | −5% | $61,820 | $98,080 | 540 |
| 26 | Alabama | $77,600 | −5% | $39,290 | $87,380 | 590 |
| 27 | California | $77,070 | −5% | $52,260 | $79,940 | 1,570 |
| 28 | Kansas | $75,190 | −8% | $60,660 | $78,300 | 1,020 |
| 29 | Washington | $73,750 | −9% | $59,610 | $91,140 | 1,120 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $70,670 | −13% | $49,430 | $77,110 | 30 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $69,180 | −15% | $62,730 | $81,640 | 150 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $64,400 | −21% | $62,880 | $90,080 | 340 |
| 33 | Louisiana | $64,200 | −21% | $47,180 | $73,630 | 700 |
| 34 | Ohio | $63,280 | −22% | $63,110 | $77,130 | 200 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $61,190 | −25% | $59,580 | $70,240 | 340 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Locomotive Engineers salary questions
Which state pays locomotive engineers the most?
New York, with a median of $109,220 a year (+34% vs. the national median of $81,410). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays locomotive engineers the least?
North Carolina, with a median of $61,190 a year (−25% vs. national).
Where do most locomotive engineers work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 3,780, with a median of $79,000.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.