Locomotive Engineers
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$81,410/yr
Typical range
$75,190 – $93,260
Education
High school diploma
Time to entry
No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning
What a Locomotive Engineers does
You operate and control locomotives that pull freight or passenger trains across the country, monitoring speed, signals, and track conditions. This role requires extensive training, certification, and the ability to make quick decisions for safety.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.
Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers — $40,240/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Light Truck Drivers — $44,860/yr
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