Transportation and material moving
Locomotive engineer
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 pay
$81,410
Growth to 2035
+1%
little or no change
Openings a year
2,000
Time to qualify*
2.5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Locomotive engineer
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- Less than 5 years
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Locomotive engineer: 53% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
- Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
- Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
- Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
- Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
Also called: Engineer · Passenger Locomotive Engineer · Railroad Engineer · Steam Locomotive Engineer · Steam Locomotive Fireman · Through Freight Engineer · Train Engineer · Trainmaster
Outlook and AI
Locomotive engineers held 27,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 27,600 by 2035 (+1%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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