Locomotive Engineers Salary in Illinois
Locomotive Engineers in Illinois make a median of $83,690 a year, or about $40.23 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $102K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $84K get you in Illinois?
About locomotive engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level locomotive engineers (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K.Top earners bring in $102K or more - a $31K spread from bottom to top.
Locomotive Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $107K | +39% | 1,290 |
| Massachusetts | $105K | +36% | 500 |
| Connecticut | $103K | +33% | 360 |
| Iowa | $88K | +13% | 1,520 |
| Oklahoma | $87K | +12% | 330 |
| Nebraska | $85K | +10% | 720 |
| New Jersey | $84K | +9% | N/A |
| Illinois | $84K | +8% | 2,130 |
| Delaware | $83K | +7% | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $82K | +6% | 400 |
| Florida | $82K | +6% | 620 |
| Pennsylvania | $81K | +5% | 1,460 |
| Arizona | $81K | +5% | 380 |
| Montana | $81K | +5% | 970 |
| Utah | $80K | +3% | 350 |
Track locomotive engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do locomotive engineers make in Illinois?
The median is $83,690 a year - that works out to about $40.23 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,540, and experienced locomotive engineers can clear $102,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,260/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 22.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a locomotive engineers salary go in Illinois?
Illinois 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 $83,690 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.