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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 (BLS)

$81,410

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$61k – $109k

Job outlook

+1% (about average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Locomotive Engineers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Locomotive Engineers

    Entry / Junior

    $60,680

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Locomotive Engineers

    Established

    $81,410

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Locomotive Engineers

    Senior

    $95,315

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

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.