Locomotive Engineers Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Locomotive Engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA make a median of $80,490 a year, or about $38.7 an hour. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $82K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $76,352 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 38% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $80K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About locomotive engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level locomotive engineers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K.Top earners bring in $82K or more - a $1K 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do locomotive engineers make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $80,490 a year - that works out to about $38.7 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,490, and experienced locomotive engineers can clear $81,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,874/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 39.4% 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median locomotive engineers salary is worth about $76,352 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.