Skilled Trades
Locomotive Engineers
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.
Median salary
$77,400
Typical range
$61k – $101k
Job outlook
+1% (about average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Locomotive Engineers
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Locomotive Engineers
Entry / Junior
$60,980
~2 yrs to advance
Locomotive Engineers
Established
$77,400
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Locomotive Engineers
Senior
$89,045
Key skills
A typical day
- •Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
- •Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- •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.
- •Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.