Locomotive Engineer salary in Tennessee
Locomotive Engineers in Tennessee earn a median of $81,410 a year ($39.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,490 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $81,410. Tennessee ranks 19th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.21 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| 25th percentile | $80,660 | $38.78 |
| Median | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| 75th percentile | $81,900 | $39.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,490 | $43.99 |
| Average (mean) | $85,470 | $41.09 |
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 | $6,784.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,392.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,131.15 |
| Weekly | $1,565.58 |
| Hourly | $39.14 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $48,660 | $23.40 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Tennessee is $81,410 a year, or $39.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Tennessee earn at least $91,490 a year. The top 25% earn $81,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,060 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $80,660 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Tennessee?
About 700 locomotive engineers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.