Locomotive Engineers Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$76,190
- 25th Percentile — Junior$84,470
- 50th Percentile — Median$93,320
- 75th Percentile — Senior$97,280
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$152,420
Half of Locomotive Engineers in Illinois earn more than $93,320. The top 10% make $152,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $76,190.
Locomotive Engineers in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 3rd of 35 states for Locomotive Engineers pay, at $102,480 per year (19.3% above the U.S. average of $85,900).
- 2,340 people work as Locomotive Engineers in Illinois — 7.0% of all U.S. Locomotive Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.79: Locomotive Engineers jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $76,190; the top 10% earn over $152,420.
- Hourly equivalent: $49.27 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Mississippi at $125,980.
- Among transportation jobs in Illinois, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($316,140).
Locomotive Engineers Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Locomotive Engineers here earn $102,480 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $102,480 is roughly equivalent to $97,600 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Mississippi ($125,980), Massachusetts ($118,340), New York ($98,720) 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 Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $316,140/yr Illinois +208.5% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $164,200/yr Illinois +60.2% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $157,600/yr Illinois +53.8% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $83,930/yr Illinois 18.1% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $69,780/yr Illinois 31.9% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,430/yr Illinois 39.1% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,300/yr Illinois 48.0% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $49,550/yr Illinois 51.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Locomotive Engineers salary in Illinois?
The average Locomotive Engineers salary in Illinois is $102,480 per year (median $93,320), which is 19.3% above the national average of $85,900.
How does Illinois rank for Locomotive Engineers pay?
Illinois ranks 3rd out of 35 states. The highest-paying state is Mississippi ($125,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Locomotive Engineers make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Locomotive Engineers in Illinois earn about $76,190 per year and the 25th percentile is $84,470.
How much do Locomotive Engineers make per hour in Illinois?
About $49.27 per hour, based on the $102,480 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Locomotive Engineers work in Illinois?
BLS counts 2,340 Locomotive Engineers jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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