Locomotive Engineer Salary in New Jersey (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Locomotive Engineers in New Jersey, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$86,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $81,410
State Rank
#16 of 35
830 employed here

How much does a Locomotive Engineer make in New Jersey?

A Locomotive Engineer working in New Jersey earns a median salary of $86,550 per year, or about $41.61 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $81,410 for this occupation.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $85,930 while the top 10% make $107,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,550 and $86,680 a year.

Locomotive Engineer salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$85,930$41.31
25th percentile (early career)$86,550$41.61
50th percentile (median)$86,550$41.61
75th percentile (experienced)$86,680$41.67
90th percentile (top earners)$107,060$51.47

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 16th out of 35 states and territories for Locomotive Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$109,220
2Massachusetts$108,790
3Mississippi$96,710
4Minnesota$93,700
5Illinois$93,320

Working as a Locomotive Engineer in New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($86,550) 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 New Jersey?
The median Locomotive Engineer salary in New Jersey is $86,550 per year, or about $41.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $85,930 at the entry level to $107,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Locomotive Engineers about 6% more than the national median of $81,410. New Jersey ranks 16th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Locomotive Engineers?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $86,550 a year. About 830 Locomotive Engineers are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.