Locomotive Engineers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$52,260
- 25th Percentile — Junior$74,370
- 50th Percentile — Median$77,070
- 75th Percentile — Senior$79,940
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$79,940
Half of Locomotive Engineers in California earn more than $77,070. The top 10% make $79,940 or more, while entry-level workers start around $52,260.
Locomotive Engineers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 26th of 35 states for Locomotive Engineers pay, at $75,600 per year (12.0% below the U.S. average of $85,900).
- 1,570 people work as Locomotive Engineers in California — 4.7% of all U.S. Locomotive Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.40: Locomotive Engineers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $52,260; the top 10% earn over $79,940.
- Hourly equivalent: $36.35 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Mississippi at $125,980.
- Among transportation jobs in California, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($310,190).
Locomotive Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Locomotive Engineers here earn $75,600 on average, placing the state 26th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $75,600 is roughly equivalent to $53,239 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wisconsin ($77,030), Oregon ($76,640), Washington ($76,070) are the closest alternatives for Locomotive Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $310,190/yr California +310.3% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $202,040/yr California +167.2% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $156,910/yr California +107.6% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $129,580/yr California +71.4% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $88,500/yr California +17.1% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,020/yr California 18.0% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,310/yr California 29.5% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $50,360/yr California 33.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Locomotive Engineers salary in California?
The average Locomotive Engineers salary in California is $75,600 per year (median $77,070), which is 12.0% below the national average of $85,900.
How does California rank for Locomotive Engineers pay?
California ranks 26th out of 35 states. The highest-paying state is Mississippi ($125,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Locomotive Engineers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Locomotive Engineers in California earn about $52,260 per year and the 25th percentile is $74,370.
How much do Locomotive Engineers make per hour in California?
About $36.35 per hour, based on the $75,600 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Locomotive Engineers work in California?
BLS counts 1,570 Locomotive Engineers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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