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Locomotive Engineers

Earnings

Earnings for locomotive engineers are negotiated in union contracts. The earnings depend on the class of locomotive operated, the kind of service in which the engineer is employed, and the amount of seniority he or she has. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, median annual earnings of locomotive engineers were $74,770 in May 2023. Wages ranged from less than $59,450 to more than $92,670. Fifty percent of locomotive engineers earned between $73,240 and $80,340.

The beginning engineer's salary may be quite varied, because he or she must serve time on the extra board (a substitute engineer), rather than have a regular, steady assignment. Typically, full-time employees have higher earnings than those on the extra board.

On many routes, the amount an engineer may earn in a single month is governed by mileage limitations agreed on by the unions and the railroad companies. Whenever an engineer on one of these routes reaches the top number of miles permitted during a month, another engineer, usually an extra board worker, is assigned to take over for the rest of the month.

Engineers receive paid vacations, sick leave, life and health insurance, railroad retirement pensions, and other benefits.