Locomotive Engineer salary in Louisiana
Locomotive Engineers in Louisiana earn a median of $64,200 a year ($30.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,630 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $81,410. Louisiana ranks 33rd of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.36 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,180 | $22.69 |
| 25th percentile | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Median | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| 75th percentile | $70,970 | $34.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| Average (mean) | $64,920 | $31.21 |
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 | $5,350 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,675 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,469.23 |
| Weekly | $1,234.62 |
| Hourly | $30.87 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $62,170 | $29.89 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,440 | $18.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,950 | $23.54 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,710 | $13.32 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Louisiana is $64,200 a year, or $30.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Louisiana earn at least $73,630 a year. The top 25% earn $70,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,180 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $63,890 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Louisiana?
About 700 locomotive engineers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.