Salary for Railroad Engineer can vary greatly depending on the size and type of organization, as well as the engineer’s level of experience. Railroads are at the heart of most transportation systems in the United States, and are essential for moving goods and people around our large country efficiently. Railroad engineers typically work for private railroad companies or public transportation agencies that provide transportation services to the public.
The salary of a railroad engineer is dependent upon several factors. The amount of experience an individual has and the position that they are seeking both play a role in determining their annual salary. Additionally, the requirements of their job also play a role in determining how much they will earn on an annual basis.
The average salary for Railroad Engineer is $54K per year. This estimate is based upon 50 salaries submitted anonymously to us by Railroad Engineer employees across the United States.
Salary For Railroad Engineer Overview
If you’re looking to become a train engineer, it can be helpful to know how much they make. The average salary for a locomotive engineer is about $65,000 per year. But there are some factors that affect your salary that might not be obvious at first glance.
For example, union workers earn more than non-union workers in all industries—and railroad engineers are no exception. Unionized engineers make roughly $8,000 more per year than those who are not members of a union. And if you work for an employer who has negotiated its own contract with the union, that could mean even higher salaries.
Another important factor is whether you work as an engineer or as a conductor (you can read more about the difference between these two jobs here). Engineers tend to make more than conductors because they have a bigger responsibility and they have to be licensed by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). If you want to become an engineer and don’t already have the required license from FRA, then you’ll need to complete some training before being hired by any railroad company—and this training will cost about $4,000-$5,000 for tuition plus travel expenses like gas money and hotel stays on top of what it
What Is a Railroad Engineer?
A railroad engineer, also known as a locomotive engineer, drives freight and/or passenger trains for long distances. They often operate diesel-electric engines, but some are also trained to drive trains that run solely on battery or electric power. During a trip, they monitor speed and efficiency gauges on the train, and they make adjustments based on the external conditions and the type of cargo they are carrying. In addition, they use radios to communicate with dispatchers at their destinations in order to ensure that all parties stay up-to-date on upcoming arrivals and potential scheduling changes.
The following chart provides an overview about becoming a railroad engineer.
| Degree Required | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Key Duties | Inspect locomotive mechanics and report issues; operate locomotive to transport railroad cars between stations and within stations |
| Certification | Railroad engineers must be certified by Federal Railroad Administration |
| Job Growth (2020-2030) | 5%* |
| Median Salary (2020) | $71,870* |
Average Locomotive Engineer Salary
The nation’s 35,520 locomotive engineers made an average of $71,570 per year, or $34.41 per hour, as of May 2019, states the BLS. Salaries fell to less than $47,190 per year, or $22.69 per hour, for the lowest 10 percent of engineers and rose to more than $101,060 per year, or $48.59 per hour, for the highest 10 percent. Train engineers drive electric or diesel locomotives to transport goods and people to destinations around the country. Daily railroad engineer requirements include checking the condition of their vehicles and adjusting them as needed, working closely with conductors and other railroad staff, and documenting any problems with the trains or the routes.
Industries Employing Locomotive Engineers
In 2019, most locomotive engineers worked in rail transportation, which held over 95 percent of the positions. It also paid the second-highest averages of $72,110 per year, or $34.67 per hour. State governments paid the locomotive engineers the highest wages of any industry, despite employing only 70 people in such positions. They earned an average of $87,960 per year, or $42.29 per hour.
The third-highest wages came from local governments, which employed 630 locomotive engineers and paid an average of $64,580 per year, or $31.05 per hour. Ranking fourth for pay was the federal government, with 50 positions and average pay of $55,810 per year, or $26.83.
Locomotive Engineer Salaries By Location
The 190 locomotive engineers employed in Nevada earned the highest average wages: $99,520 per year, or $47.85 per hour. Washington was the second-most lucrative state for locomotive engineers, with annual wages averaging $89,100 ($42.84 per hour). The 1,770 locomotive engineers employed in California earned the third-highest wages: $84,740 per year, or $40.74 per hour.
Locomotive Engineer Job Outlook
The BLS predicts a 3 percent decline for all railroad positions from 2019 to 2029. For comparison, the average outlook for all occupations is a 4 percent increase. The statistic is due to the lack of new track capacity to hold more locomotives driven by engineers. Instead, to meet the expected rise in rail transportation spurred by population growth, freight companies are finding less expensive ways to increase capacity, such as by double-stacking one train car on top of another, or running longer trains.
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Railroad Engineer Jobs
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Railroad Engineer job is above the national average. Topping the list is San Jose, CA, with Oakland, CA and Hayward, CA close behind in the second and third positions. Hayward, CA beats the national average by $11,016 (18.9%), and San Jose, CA furthers that trend with another $13,113 (22.5%) above the $58,283 average.
With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Railroad Engineer appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top ten cities varies very little at 7% between San Jose, CA and Antioch, CA, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Railroad Engineer role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $71,397 | $5,950 | $1,373 | $34.33 |
| Oakland, CA | $70,647 | $5,887 | $1,359 | $33.96 |
| Hayward, CA | $69,300 | $5,775 | $1,333 | $33.32 |
| Seattle, WA | $68,977 | $5,748 | $1,326 | $33.16 |
| Wasilla, AK | $68,144 | $5,679 | $1,310 | $32.76 |
| Concord, CA | $68,104 | $5,675 | $1,310 | $32.74 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $67,938 | $5,662 | $1,307 | $32.66 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $67,875 | $5,656 | $1,305 | $32.63 |
| Seaside, CA | $66,819 | $5,568 | $1,285 | $32.12 |
| Antioch, CA | $66,317 | $5,526 | $1,275 | $31.88 |
