Locomotive Engineer salary in Virginia
Locomotive Engineers in Virginia earn a median of $90,780 a year ($43.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,940 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $81,410. Virginia ranks 9th 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 $85,310, close to the median.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| 25th percentile | $82,020 | $39.44 |
| Median | $90,780 | $43.64 |
| 75th percentile | $90,940 | $43.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,940 | $43.72 |
| Average (mean) | $85,310 | $41.02 |
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 | $7,565 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,782.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,491.54 |
| Weekly | $1,745.77 |
| Hourly | $43.64 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $61,970 | $29.80 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,380 | $18.94 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,530 | $22.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Virginia is $90,780 a year, or $43.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Virginia earn at least $90,940 a year. The top 25% earn $90,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,490 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $82,020 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Virginia?
About 790 locomotive engineers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.