Iowa Median
$89,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $81,410
State Rank
#11 of 35
1,000 employed here
How much does a Locomotive Engineer make in Iowa?
Locomotive Engineers in Iowa take home a median of $89,970 annually — roughly $43.25 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $81,410.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $74,770 while the top 10% make $95,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,850 and $92,170 a year.
Locomotive Engineer salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,770 | $35.95 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $74,850 | $35.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,970 | $43.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $92,170 | $44.31 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,710 | $46.01 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 11th 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 $93,700Illinois $93,320Indiana $92,790Florida $92,310Oklahoma $91,970Virginia $90,780Montana $90,220Arizona $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($89,970) 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 Iowa?
The median Locomotive Engineer salary in Iowa is $89,970 per year, or about $43.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,770 at the entry level to $95,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Locomotive Engineers about 11% more than the national median of $81,410. Iowa ranks 11th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Locomotive Engineers?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $89,970 a year. About 1,000 Locomotive Engineers are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.