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What Does it Take to Be a Locomotive Engineer?
Career Description 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.
Life As a Locomotive Engineer: What Do They Do?
- Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
- Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver’s cab and available for staff use.
- Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
- Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
- Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
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Things a Locomotive Engineer Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Locomotive Engineers say are important on the job.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Railway Engineer
- Trip Motor Operator
- Diesel Locomotive Engineer
- Operator
- Locomotive Engineer
Locomotive Engineer Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 38,800 jobs for Locomotive Engineer in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Locomotive Engineer. There will be an estimated 3,000 positions for Locomotive Engineer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Locomotive Engineer are South Carolina, Arizona, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Louisiana, Oregon, or Minnesota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Locomotive Engineer Average Salary
Locomotive Engineers make between $46,200 and $97,890 a year.
Locomotive Engineers who work in Washington, Delaware, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Locomotive Engineers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,670 |
| Arizona | $66,350 |
| Arkansas | $66,410 |
| California | $80,330 |
| Delaware | $75,030 |
| Florida | $62,520 |
| Georgia | $56,090 |
| Idaho | $60,160 |
| Illinois | $71,000 |
| Indiana | $59,180 |
| Iowa | $68,110 |
| Kansas | $69,420 |
| Kentucky | $58,160 |
| Maryland | $75,270 |
| Massachusetts | $74,190 |
| Michigan | $65,030 |
| Minnesota | $66,340 |
| Missouri | $71,260 |
| Montana | $64,700 |
| Nebraska | $66,760 |
| New Hampshire | $45,100 |
| New Jersey | $61,310 |
| New Mexico | $75,490 |
| New York | $77,150 |
| North Carolina | $58,670 |
| Ohio | $65,400 |
| Oklahoma | $51,650 |
| Oregon | $58,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,890 |
| South Carolina | $60,420 |
| South Dakota | $77,640 |
| Tennessee | $70,970 |
| Texas | $65,660 |
| Utah | $57,290 |
| Virginia | $69,990 |
| Washington | $85,160 |
| West Virginia | $60,730 |
| Wisconsin | $63,520 |
| Wyoming | $80,610 |
What Tools & Technology do Locomotive Engineers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Locomotive Engineers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Data entry software
- Route mapping software
- Time tracking software
- Electronic train management systems ETMS
How to Become a Locomotive Engineer
Education needed to be a Locomotive Engineer:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Locomotive Engineers?
Below are examples of industries where Locomotive Engineers work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Locomotive Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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