Locomotive Engineer salary in Colorado
Locomotive Engineers in Colorado earn a median of $89,360 a year ($42.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,830 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $81,410. Colorado ranks 13th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.17 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $92,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,730 | $27.75 |
| 25th percentile | $76,670 | $36.86 |
| Median | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| 75th percentile | $99,800 | $47.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,830 | $60.49 |
| Average (mean) | $92,960 | $44.69 |
Half of locomotive engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,446.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,723.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,436.92 |
| Weekly | $1,718.46 |
| Hourly | $42.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for locomotive engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $109,220 |
| Massachusetts | $108,790 |
| Mississippi | $96,710 |
| Minnesota | $93,700 |
| Illinois | $93,320 |
| Indiana | $92,790 |
| Florida | $92,310 |
| Oklahoma | $91,970 |
| Virginia | $90,780 |
| Montana | $90,220 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $76,140 | $36.60 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,380 | $31.43 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $50,570 | $24.31 |
| Flight Attendant | $59,500 | — |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $307,490 | — |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $41,020 | $19.72 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locomotive engineer make in Colorado?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Colorado is $89,360 a year, or $42.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Colorado earn at least $125,830 a year. The top 25% earn $99,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,730 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $76,670 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Colorado?
About 480 locomotive engineers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.