Locomotive Engineer salary in Kansas
Locomotive Engineers in Kansas earn a median of $75,190 a year ($36.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,300 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $81,410. Kansas ranks 28th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.71 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,180, close to the median.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| 25th percentile | $69,290 | $33.31 |
| Median | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| 75th percentile | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,300 | $37.64 |
| Average (mean) | $72,180 | $34.70 |
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 | $6,265.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,132.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,891.92 |
| Weekly | $1,445.96 |
| Hourly | $36.15 |
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 Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $68,730 | $33.05 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $56,090 | $26.97 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,370 | $17.96 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,180 | $20.76 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Kansas is $75,190 a year, or $36.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Kansas?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Kansas earn at least $78,300 a year. The top 25% earn $75,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,660 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $69,290 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Kansas?
About 1,020 locomotive engineers are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.