Locomotive Engineer Salary in Wisconsin (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Wisconsin Median
$84,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $81,410
State Rank
#17 of 35
220 employed here

How much does a Locomotive Engineer make in Wisconsin?

Locomotive Engineers in Wisconsin take home a median of $84,550 annually — roughly $40.65 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $81,410.

Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $61,780 while the top 10% make $84,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,640 and $84,560 a year.

Locomotive Engineer salary range in Wisconsin

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$61,780$29.70
25th percentile (early career)$72,640$34.92
50th percentile (median)$84,550$40.65
75th percentile (experienced)$84,560$40.65
90th percentile (top earners)$84,600$40.67

How Wisconsin compares

Wisconsin ranks 17th 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 Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin pay ($84,550) 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 Wisconsin?
The median Locomotive Engineer salary in Wisconsin is $84,550 per year, or about $40.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $61,780 at the entry level to $84,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Locomotive Engineers about 4% more than the national median of $81,410. Wisconsin ranks 17th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Locomotive Engineers?
Yes on pay — Wisconsin pays above the national median for this occupation, at $84,550 a year. About 220 Locomotive Engineers are employed in Wisconsin. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), 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.