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Locomotive Engineers in South Dakota
Considering working as a Locomotive Engineers in South Dakota? Below are the key facts. 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. Excludes “Engineers” (17-2011 through 17-2199).
What do Locomotive Engineers Make in South Dakota?
For a locomotive engineers working in South Dakota, the median annual wage is $67,950 per year (or about $32.67/hour).Annual wages span from $61,750 at the 10th percentile to $87,600 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| 25th percentile | $67,570 | $32.49 |
| Median (50th) | $67,950 | $32.67 |
| 75th percentile | $67,950 | $32.67 |
| 90th percentile | $87,600 | $42.12 |
The job concentration index in South Dakota relative to the national average — is 1.57, suggesting that locomotive engineers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, locomotive engineers earn a median of $61,391 per year ($29.51/hour), higher than the South Dakota median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 89,503 locomotive engineers across the United States. In South Dakota alone, about 150 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 530 locomotive engineers.
Top States for Locomotive Engineers Employment
These states have the highest employment of locomotive engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 4,040 |
| Illinois | 2,130 |
| California | 1,670 |
| Iowa | 1,520 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,460 |
| New York | 1,290 |
| Kansas | 990 |
| Montana | 970 |
| Georgia | 870 |
| Indiana | 860 |
| Washington | 810 |
| Missouri | 810 |
| Minnesota | 730 |
| Nebraska | 720 |
| Arkansas | 700 |
| Florida | 620 |
| Tennessee | 610 |
| Oregon | 530 |
| Virginia | 520 |
| Massachusetts | 500 |
Highest-Paying States for Locomotive Engineers
These states pay the most for locomotive engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $107,290 |
| Massachusetts | $104,950 |
| Connecticut | $103,010 |
| Iowa | $87,550 |
| Oklahoma | $86,520 |
| Nebraska | $84,870 |
| New Jersey | $84,230 |
| Illinois | $83,690 |
| Delaware | $82,920 |
| Wisconsin | $82,190 |
Skills
Top locomotive engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for locomotive engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, locomotive engineers typically:
- 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.
- Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
- Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
- Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
- Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
- Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
- Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
- Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Getting Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Other careers like locomotive engineers include:
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Also Known As
Diesel Engine Operator, Diesel Engineer, Diesel Locomotive Engineer, Engine Pilot, Engineer, Engineman, Freight Engineer, Fuel Pilot Engineer, Locomotive Engineer, Locomotive Operator, Lokie Driver, Lokie Engineer, Motor Driver, Motor Operator, Motor Runner.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 53-4011.00
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