BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Locomotive Engineers in Montana

$95,640 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$45.98 per hour

▲ 11.3% above U.S. average5th of 35 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$95,640per year
Median$90,220per year
Hourly$45.98per hour
10th – 90th percentile$80,460 – $126,950per year

Locomotive Engineers Pay Range in Montana

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$80,460
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$90,220
  • 50th Percentile — Median$90,220
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$90,370
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$126,950

Half of Locomotive Engineers in Montana earn more than $90,220. The top 10% make $126,950 or more, while entry-level workers start around $80,460.

Locomotive Engineers in Montana: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Montana ranks 5th of 35 states for Locomotive Engineers pay, at $95,640 per year (11.3% above the U.S. average of $85,900).
  • 470 people work as Locomotive Engineers in Montana — 1.4% of all U.S. Locomotive Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 4.31: Locomotive Engineers jobs are more concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $80,460; the top 10% earn over $126,950.
  • Hourly equivalent: $45.98 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Mississippi at $125,980.
  • Among transportation jobs in Montana, Commercial Pilots pays the most ($128,170).

Locomotive Engineers Job Market in Montana

Key factors affecting compensation

Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Locomotive Engineers here earn $95,640 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $95,640 is roughly equivalent to $100,674 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Mississippi ($125,980), Massachusetts ($118,340), Illinois ($102,480) are the closest alternatives for Locomotive Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Locomotive Engineers salary in Montana?

The average Locomotive Engineers salary in Montana is $95,640 per year (median $90,220), which is 11.3% above the national average of $85,900.

How does Montana rank for Locomotive Engineers pay?

Montana ranks 5th out of 35 states. The highest-paying state is Mississippi ($125,980/yr).

How much do entry-level Locomotive Engineers make in Montana?

The lowest-paid 10% of Locomotive Engineers in Montana earn about $80,460 per year and the 25th percentile is $90,220.

How much do Locomotive Engineers make per hour in Montana?

About $45.98 per hour, based on the $95,640 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Locomotive Engineers work in Montana?

BLS counts 470 Locomotive Engineers jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).

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