Locomotive Engineer salary in New York
Locomotive Engineers in New York earn a median of $109,220 a year ($52.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,280 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $81,410. New York ranks 1st of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.16 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $98,720, close to the median.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 25th percentile | $93,590 | $45.00 |
| Median | $109,220 | $52.51 |
| 75th percentile | $110,280 | $53.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,280 | $53.02 |
| Average (mean) | $98,720 | $47.46 |
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 | $9,101.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,550.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,200.77 |
| Weekly | $2,100.38 |
| Hourly | $52.51 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $83,530 | $40.16 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,730 | $20.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $84,480 | $40.61 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in New York is $109,220 a year, or $52.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in New York?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in New York earn at least $110,280 a year. The top 25% earn $110,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,110 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $93,590 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in New York?
About 1,510 locomotive engineers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.