Locomotive Engineer salary in Ohio
Locomotive Engineers in Ohio earn a median of $63,280 a year ($30.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,130 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $81,410. Ohio ranks 34th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.04 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.17). The average (mean) salary is $66,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| 25th percentile | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Median | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| 75th percentile | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Average (mean) | $66,350 | $31.90 |
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 | $5,273.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,636.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,433.85 |
| Weekly | $1,216.92 |
| Hourly | $30.42 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $61,390 | $29.52 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,530 | $16.12 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,860 | $22.05 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Ohio is $63,280 a year, or $30.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Ohio?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Ohio earn at least $77,130 a year. The top 25% earn $63,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,110 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $63,120 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Ohio?
About 200 locomotive engineers are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.