📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Locomotive Engineer Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$83,454
per year
Median
$80,094
per year
Hourly
$40.12
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$56,060
25th Percentile — Junior$69,122
50th Percentile — Median$80,094
75th Percentile — Senior$98,511
90th Percentile — Top Earners$108,656
💡 Top-earning Locomotive Engineers in Illinois make up to $108,656 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$75.6k
2021
$77.1k
2022
$78.6k
2023
$80.2k
2024
$81.8k
2025
$83.5k
2026
📈 Locomotive Engineer salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 2.0% annual growth. The strong presence in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Locomotive Engineer Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $93,468 +12.0% Medium
Aurora $85,123 +2.0% Medium
🔍
Locomotive Engineer Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Locomotive Engineers. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $83,454 per year, Illinois's Locomotive Engineer salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $56,060–$69,122, while experienced Locomotive Engineers can command $98,511–$108,656.

Looking ahead, the Locomotive Engineer profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 2.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Locomotive Engineer salary in Illinois is $83,454 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $79,480.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Locomotive Engineers the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Locomotive Engineer employment.
  • At $83,454/year, Illinois Locomotive Engineer salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $79,480/year.