Tennessee Median
$81,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $81,410
State Rank
#19 of 35
700 employed here
How much does a Locomotive Engineer make in Tennessee?
Locomotive Engineers in Tennessee take home a median of $81,410 annually — roughly $39.14 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $81,410.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $66,060 while the top 10% make $91,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,660 and $81,900 a year.
Locomotive Engineer salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,060 | $31.76 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,660 | $38.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,410 | $39.14 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,900 | $39.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,490 | $43.99 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 19th 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 $90,220Iowa $89,970Arizona $89,840Colorado $89,360South Carolina $89,290New Mexico $88,330New Jersey $86,550Wisconsin $84,550Pennsylvania $82,460Oregon $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($81,410) 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 Tennessee?
The median Locomotive Engineer salary in Tennessee is $81,410 per year, or about $39.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,060 at the entry level to $91,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Locomotive Engineers about 0% more than the national median of $81,410. Tennessee ranks 19th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Locomotive Engineers?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $81,410 a year. About 700 Locomotive Engineers are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.