Locomotive Engineer salary in New Jersey
Locomotive Engineers in New Jersey earn a median of $86,550 a year ($41.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,060 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $81,410. New Jersey ranks 16th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.19 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,930 | $41.31 |
| 25th percentile | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Median | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| 75th percentile | $86,680 | $41.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,060 | $51.47 |
| Average (mean) | $88,640 | $42.62 |
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 | $7,212.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,606.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,328.85 |
| Weekly | $1,664.42 |
| Hourly | $41.61 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $71,030 | $34.15 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,980 | $32.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,720 | $21.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in New Jersey is $86,550 a year, or $41.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in New Jersey earn at least $107,060 a year. The top 25% earn $86,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,930 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $86,550 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in New Jersey?
About 830 locomotive engineers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.