Illinois Median
$93,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+15% vs US median
US median $81,410
State Rank
#5 of 35
2,340 employed here
How much does a Locomotive Engineer make in Illinois?
A Locomotive Engineer working in Illinois earns a median salary of $93,320 per year, or about $44.87 per hour. That is 15% above the national median of $81,410 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $76,190 while the top 10% make $152,420 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $84,470 and $97,280 a year.
Locomotive Engineer salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,190 | $36.63 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $84,470 | $40.61 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $93,320 | $44.87 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $97,280 | $46.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,420 | $73.28 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 5th out of 35 states and territories for Locomotive Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Locomotive Engineer salary in other states
New York $109,220Massachusetts $108,790Mississippi $96,710Minnesota $93,700Indiana $92,790Florida $92,310Oklahoma $91,970Virginia $90,780Montana $90,220Iowa $89,970Arizona $89,840Colorado $89,360South Carolina $89,290New Mexico $88,330New Jersey $86,550Wisconsin $84,550Pennsylvania $82,460Tennessee $81,410Oregon $79,130Texas $79,000Arkansas $78,930Wyoming $78,910Missouri $78,820Kentucky $77,620Alabama $77,600California $77,070Kansas $75,190Washington $73,750New Hampshire $70,670South Dakota $69,180West Virginia $64,400Louisiana $64,200Ohio $63,280North Carolina $61,190
Working as a Locomotive Engineer in Illinois
Nationally, about 33,000 people work as Locomotive Engineers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($93,320) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Locomotive Engineer make in Illinois?
The median Locomotive Engineer salary in Illinois is $93,320 per year, or about $44.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,190 at the entry level to $152,420 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Locomotive Engineers about 15% more than the national median of $81,410. Illinois ranks 5th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Locomotive Engineers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $93,320 a year. About 2,340 Locomotive Engineers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Locomotive Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.