Locomotive Engineer salary in Texas
Locomotive Engineers in Texas earn a median of $79,000 a year ($37.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,310 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $81,410. Texas ranks 21st of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.27 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,530, close to the median.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| 25th percentile | $65,340 | $31.42 |
| Median | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| 75th percentile | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Average (mean) | $73,530 | $35.35 |
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 | $6,583.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,291.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,038.46 |
| Weekly | $1,519.23 |
| Hourly | $37.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Locomotive Engineer salary in cities in Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $65,340 | 250 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $57,140 | 100 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $68,980 | $33.16 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $53,130 | $25.54 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,290 | $27.06 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,000 | $28.84 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,450 | $14.16 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Texas is $79,000 a year, or $37.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Texas?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Texas earn at least $79,310 a year. The top 25% earn $79,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,700 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $65,340 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Texas?
About 3,780 locomotive engineers are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.