Locomotive Engineer salary in Illinois
Locomotive Engineers in Illinois earn a median of $93,320 a year ($44.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,420 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $81,410. Illinois ranks 5th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.38 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| 25th percentile | $84,470 | $40.61 |
| Median | $93,320 | $44.87 |
| 75th percentile | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,420 | $73.28 |
| Average (mean) | $102,480 | $49.27 |
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 | $7,776.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,888.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,589.23 |
| Weekly | $1,794.62 |
| Hourly | $44.87 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Flight Attendant | $62,120 | — |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $65,200 | $31.35 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Illinois is $93,320 a year, or $44.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Illinois earn at least $152,420 a year. The top 25% earn $97,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,190 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $84,470 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Illinois?
About 2,340 locomotive engineers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.