Locomotive Engineer salary in West Virginia
Locomotive Engineers in West Virginia earn a median of $64,400 a year ($30.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,080 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $81,410. West Virginia ranks 32nd of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.48 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| 25th percentile | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Median | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| 75th percentile | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,080 | $43.31 |
| Average (mean) | $67,970 | $32.68 |
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 | $5,366.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,683.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,476.92 |
| Weekly | $1,238.46 |
| Hourly | $30.96 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $55,180 | $26.53 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $91,380 | $43.93 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,990 | $17.79 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $33,360 | $16.04 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $35,840 | $17.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in West Virginia is $64,400 a year, or $30.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in West Virginia earn at least $90,080 a year. The top 25% earn $74,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,880 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $64,380 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in West Virginia?
About 340 locomotive engineers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.