Locomotive Engineer salary in Minnesota
Locomotive Engineers in Minnesota earn a median of $93,700 a year ($45.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 990 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,830 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $81,410. Minnesota ranks 4th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.34 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,730, close to the median.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| 25th percentile | $85,620 | $41.16 |
| Median | $93,700 | $45.05 |
| 75th percentile | $93,830 | $45.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,830 | $45.11 |
| Average (mean) | $88,730 | $42.66 |
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 | $7,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,904.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,603.85 |
| Weekly | $1,801.92 |
| Hourly | $45.05 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $78,930 | $37.95 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $65,410 | $31.45 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $32,980 | $15.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,430 | $32.90 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,810 | $19.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Flight Attendant | $61,230 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Minnesota is $93,700 a year, or $45.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Minnesota earn at least $93,830 a year. The top 25% earn $93,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,780 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $85,620 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Minnesota?
About 990 locomotive engineers are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.