Locomotive Engineer salary in Washington
Locomotive Engineers in Washington earn a median of $73,750 a year ($35.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,140 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $81,410. Washington ranks 29th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.32 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| 25th percentile | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Median | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| 75th percentile | $91,140 | $43.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,140 | $43.82 |
| Average (mean) | $76,070 | $36.57 |
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 | $6,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,072.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,836.54 |
| Weekly | $1,418.27 |
| Hourly | $35.46 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $85,140 | $40.93 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,760 | $31.13 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $40,070 | $19.26 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $72,280 | $34.75 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Washington is $73,750 a year, or $35.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Washington?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Washington earn at least $91,140 a year. The top 25% earn $91,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,610 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $59,910 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Washington?
About 1,120 locomotive engineers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.