Locomotive Engineers Salary in California
Locomotive Engineers in California make a median of $74,710 a year, or about $35.92 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in California?
About locomotive engineers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level locomotive engineers (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $78K or more, a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Locomotive Engineers salary by metro in California
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $73K | -3% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track locomotive engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do locomotive engineers make in California?
The median is $74,710 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,000, and experienced locomotive engineers can clear $78,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,822/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 51.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a locomotive engineers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median locomotive engineers salary is worth about $70,388 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do locomotive engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.