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Train Engineer Salary in Texas and other locations beat most salaries for best-paying jobs that require travel.
Thanks to the task involved in this job. We’re talking about hours upon hours of being on duty, away from family and loved ones.
And now you’re wondering, ‘how much can I get paid for this?’ That’s a good question because different things can affect salaries, and you don’t want to be cheated.
So we’re here to arm you beforehand. Whether you’re thinking of venturing into a new career or looking for a better paycheck, we have everything about the Train Engineer salary in this article.
Look out for factors that can affect your salary, salaries by level, location as well as Train Engineer job prospects in 2023.
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What Does It Mean To Be a Train Engineer?
A Train Engineer, also known as a locomotive engineer, works onboard moving locomotives. The Train engineer is in charge of driving a train and managing the loads it carries. He also communicates its progress by radio to others.
What is the Role of the Train Engineer?
A Train Engineer is responsible for operating trains and driving them safely between stations.
He oversees the task of driving freight or passenger trains safely between stations.
The following are some of the specific roles of a Train Engineer
- Build new engines and carriages.
- Fit-out new carriages with upholstery, lighting, control panels, and communication systems.
- Inspect bodywork, roofs, and undercarriages for wear and tear or damage.
- Repair or replace parts.
- Make new parts.
- Carry out regular maintenance checks on systems such as brakes and couplings.
- Taking apart and testing mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems
- Write reports and update maintenance records.
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What is the Average Train Engineer’s Salary?
The average Train Engineer salary in the United States is$94,310 as of August 29, 2022, according to salary.com. However, the salary range typically falls between $84,934 and $105,222.
Similarly, Glassdoor puts the national average salary for a Locomotive Engineer at $92,400 per year in the United States.
Payscale is also within the above range at The average salary of $97588 per year.
Ziprecruiter gave us quite a high Train engineer average salary of $119266 per year.
So, we can say the average Train Engineer’s salary in 2023 falls between $94,057 and $119266.
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Factors Affecting the Salary of Train Engineers in the US
Years of experience
The more experience you have, the more likely you stand to earn higher pay. Salary increases generally revolve around your level of experience. For example, Train Engineers at Entry-level (less than 1 year) make an average salary of $50,949 per year,
On the other hand, those in Mid-career (5 to 9 years) make $79,167 on average per year, while Experienced (10 to 19 years) makeup to $88,949 per year.
Location
In addition to years of experience, where you live can also affect what you earn.
For example, generally, working in a large metropolitan area could translate to a higher salary, with a higher cost of living too.
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How Much Does a Train Engineer Make in the US?
How Much Does Train Engineer Make A Year?
The average salary for a Locomotive Engineer is $97588, according to Payscale. Salaries can be as high as $188,500 and as low as $23,500, according to ZipRecruiter.
The following is a summary of Train Engineer salaries from top salary aggregate websites.
| Glassdoor | $92,400 |
| Salary.com | $94,057 |
| ZipRecruiter | $119266 |
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How Much Do Train Engineers Make a Month?
Train engineer salary is $9,938 /month, according to ZipRecruiter.
Let’s do a quick calculation. The stated yearly salary of $92,400 and $119,266 divided by 12 months, respectively gives us an average monthly salary of $7,700 and $9,939
We also see differences by location. For instance, NJ transit train engineer salary of $67,608 and $100,651 gives us 5,634 and 8,387 per month.
Similarly, the average yearly train engineer salary in texas ($72688) when divided by 12 months gives us $6,057.
We also saw that a Release train engineer’s salary was around $11,412/month according to ZipRecruiter.
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How Much Do Train Engineers Make Per Hour?
The average hourly wage for a Locomotive Engineer in the United States is $36 as of May 27, 2022, according to Salary.com.
However, the range typically falls between $29 and $44. ZipRecruiter puts the hourly salary at $57.34 an hour.
This is the equivalent of $2,294/week or $9,939/month. Also, The average hourly pay for a Train Engineer is $31.04, according to Payscale.
In summary, a Train Engineer’s salary falls within both $30 and $40 per hour.
Click here to see the reasons for the differences in salary websites.
Salary of Train Engineer in the US Based on Location
Location is one of the factors that can affect how much you earn as a train engineer. So, we’ll discuss training engineers pay by states and cities in the US.
What are the Highest-Paying States in the United States for Train Engineer Jobs?
Below, you’ll find six states where the typical salary for a Train Engineer job is above the national average.
At the top of the list is New York, with California and Idaho close behind in second and third.
Idaho is higher than the national average by 7.7%, and New York beats that trend with another $12,831 (10.8%) above the $119,266.
Since there are only a handful of states paying above the national average, it might not be wise to relocate for salary advancement.
Besides, you have to factor in the cost of living in other locations.
Average Train Engineer Salary By States
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $132,098 | $11,008 | $2,540 | $63.51 |
| California | $128,546 | $10,712 | $2,472 | $61.80 |
| Idaho | $128,392 | $10,699 | $2,469 | $61.73 |
| New Hampshire | $124,728 | $10,394 | $2,399 | $59.97 |
| Vermont | $123,228 | $10,269 | $2,370 | $59.24 |
| Maine | $120,145 | $10,012 | $2,310 | $57.76 |
| Montana | $117,939 | $9,828 | $2,268 | $56.70 |
| Massachusetts | $117,743 | $9,812 | $2,264 | $56.61 |
| New Jersey | $117,069 | $9,756 | $2,251 | $56.28 |
| Arizona | $116,888 | $9,741 | $2,248 | $56.20 |
| Hawaii | $115,987 | $9,666 | $2,231 | $55.76 |
| Washington | $115,725 | $9,644 | $2,225 | $55.64 |
| Nevada | $115,710 | $9,642 | $2,225 | $55.63 |
| Wyoming | $115,575 | $9,631 | $2,223 | $55.56 |
| Tennessee | $114,073 | $9,506 | $2,194 | $54.84 |
| Connecticut | $113,062 | $9,422 | $2,174 | $54.36 |
| Indiana | $112,338 | $9,362 | $2,160 | $54.01 |
| West Virginia | $111,792 | $9,316 | $2,150 | $53.75 |
| Rhode Island | $111,617 | $9,301 | $2,146 | $53.66 |
| Alaska | $110,916 | $9,243 | $2,133 | $53.33 |
| Minnesota | $110,451 | $9,204 | $2,124 | $53.10 |
| Oregon | $109,605 | $9,134 | $2,108 | $52.69 |
| Pennsylvania | $109,314 | $9,110 | $2,102 | $52.55 |
| North Dakota | $108,921 | $9,077 | $2,095 | $52.37 |
| Maryland | $108,665 | $9,055 | $2,090 | $52.24 |
| Virginia | $106,013 | $8,834 | $2,039 | $50.97 |
| Wisconsin | $105,761 | $8,813 | $2,034 | $50.85 |
| Ohio | $105,062 | $8,755 | $2,020 | $50.51 |
| Iowa | $104,201 | $8,683 | $2,004 | $50.10 |
| Nebraska | $103,507 | $8,626 | $1,991 | $49.76 |
| Delaware | $103,354 | $8,613 | $1,988 | $49.69 |
| South Dakota | $103,246 | $8,604 | $1,985 | $49.64 |
| Utah | $103,226 | $8,602 | $1,985 | $49.63 |
| Alabama | $102,278 | $8,523 | $1,967 | $49.17 |
| Colorado | $101,381 | $8,448 | $1,950 | $48.74 |
| New Mexico | $101,172 | $8,431 | $1,946 | $48.64 |
| South Carolina | $101,048 | $8,421 | $1,943 | $48.58 |
| Florida | $99,396 | $8,283 | $1,911 | $47.79 |
| Arkansas | $99,238 | $8,270 | $1,908 | $47.71 |
| Kansas | $98,605 | $8,217 | $1,896 | $47.41 |
| Oklahoma | $97,778 | $8,148 | $1,880 | $47.01 |
| Michigan | $97,436 | $8,120 | $1,874 | $46.84 |
| Mississippi | $97,260 | $8,105 | $1,870 | $46.76 |
| Kentucky | $96,042 | $8,004 | $1,847 | $46.17 |
| Georgia | $95,077 | $7,923 | $1,828 | $45.71 |
| Illinois | $94,659 | $7,888 | $1,820 | $45.51 |
| Texas | $93,192 | $7,766 | $1,792 | $44.80 |
| Missouri | $92,981 | $7,748 | $1,788 | $44.70 |
| Louisiana | $89,205 | $7,434 | $1,715 | $42.89 |
| North Carolina | $84,876 | $7,073 | $1,632 | $40.81 |
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What Are The Top Ten Cities With The Highest Salary For Train Engineer Jobs?
At the top of the list is Santa Clara, CA, with San Francisco, CA, and Fremont, CA, close behind in the second and third positions.
Fremont, CA, is above the national average by $19,618 (16.4%), and Santa Clara, CA, beats that trend with another $27,813 (23.3%) above the $119,266 average.
Since these 10 cities have average salaries higher than the national average, relocating for higher pay appears reasonable.
However, you have to put into consideration the differences in the cost of living in these states.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara, CA | $147,079 | $12,257 | $2,828 | $70.71 |
| San Francisco, CA | $142,343 | $11,862 | $2,737 | $68.43 |
| Fremont, CA | $138,884 | $11,574 | $2,671 | $66.77 |
| Marysville, WA | $136,936 | $11,411 | $2,633 | $65.83 |
| San Jose, CA | $134,446 | $11,204 | $2,586 | $64.64 |
| Oakland, CA | $133,128 | $11,094 | $2,560 | $64.00 |
| Jackson, WY | $132,623 | $11,052 | $2,550 | $63.76 |
| Alexandria, VA | $132,357 | $11,030 | $2,545 | $63.63 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $131,228 | $10,936 | $2,524 | $63.09 |
| Maple Grove, MN | $130,951 | $10,913 | $2,518 | $62.96 |
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How Much is Train Engineer Salary in California in 2023?
California has the most Amtrak stations in the country, with over 70. There are trains that just travel within the state, such as the Capitol Corridor, San Joaquins, and the Pacific Surfliner.
The Locomotive Engineer role earned an average salary of $82683 in California in 2022, according to Salary.com.
Ziprecruiter puts the Train Engineer Salary in California at $128,546 a year. A quick calculation works this out to be approximately $61.80 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,472/week or $10,712/month.
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How Much is NJ Transit Train Engineer Salary in 2023?
As of June 2, 2022, the average NJ Transit Train Engineer Salary is $45,015 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.
Similarly, the average NJ Transit Train Engineer’s Salary is approximately $74,487 per year.
Glassdoor puts the typical NJ Transit Train Engineer Salary at $42 per hour.
How Much is Train Engineer Salary in Texas in 2023?
Texas has almost 20 Amtrak stations and three Amtrak routes: Heartland Flyer, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle.
You can ride regionally between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth on the Heartland Flyer or reach many cities in Texas and distant places such as Chicago.
The average train engineer salary in Texas is $72688 in 2022, according to Salary.com
Generally, the base salary ranges from $86,600 to $107,654, with an average base salary of $96,409.
However, Ziprecruiter puts out a very low average. , Specifically, the average train engineer salary in Texas is $35557 a year.
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What are the Top 5 Best Paying Related Train Engineer Jobs in the U.S.?
Below, you’ll find five jobs related to the Train Engineer job category that pay more per year than a typical Train Engineer salary.
All these jobs pay between $9,213 (7.7%) and $30,266 (25.4%), more than the average Train Engineer salary of $119,266.
Therefore, getting one of these related Train Engineer jobs can boost your salary.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agile Release Train Engineer | $149,532 | $12,461 | $2,876 | $71.89 |
| Release Train Engineer | $136,938 | $11,412 | $2,633 | $65.84 |
| Solution Train Engineer | $132,693 | $11,058 | $2,552 | $63.79 |
| Director Release Management | $128,714 | $10,726 | $2,475 | $61.88 |
| Senior Release Engineer | $128,479 | $10,707 | $2,471 | $61.77 |
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Salary for Train Engineer in the US Based on Level
How Much Do Train Engineers Make Based on Entry Level?
Entry-level positions start at $115,700 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $164,650 per year, according to Talent.com
Payscale puts out a lower entry-level Locomotive Engineer salary (with less than 1 year experience) (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $54,464 based on 8 salary reports.
In addition, an early career Locomotive Engineer with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $73,698 based on 32 salary reports.
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How Much Do Train Engineers Make at the Senior Level?
A mid-career Locomotive Engineer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $90,865 based on 44 salary reports on Payscale.
An experienced Locomotive Engineer with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $95,906 based on 66 salaries.
Senior Level Train Engineers (20 years and higher) earn an average total compensation of $112,233, according to Payscale.
Similarly, the average senior rail engineer salary in the USA is $136,219 per year or $69.86 per hour, according to Talent.com.
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Salaries of Train Engineers in the Top Industries in the US
How Much is a Solution Train Engineer Salary in 2023?
The average solution train engineer salary is $132,693 a year, according to Ziprecruiter.
The typical F5 Solutions Engineer salary is $170,662 per year, according to Glassdoor. However, Solutions Engineer salaries at F5 can range from $60,000 – $201,852 per year.
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How Much Does an Amtrak Train Engineer Make in 2023?
The average Amtrak Engineer’s yearly pay in the United States is approximately $101,514. This is 34% above the national average, according to Indeed.com
Glassdoor puts the estimated total pay for an Amtrak train engineer salary at $68,948 per year in the United State.
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How Much Does a Norfolk Southern Train Engineer Make in 2023?
Norfolk Southern Train Engineer’s salary is approximately $91,757, according to indeed.com.
The typical Norfolk Southern Locomotive Engineer salary is $97,963 per year, according to salary.com.
Payscale puts the average pay at $86,817 per year.
How Much Does a BNSF Train Engineer Make in 2023
The average BNSF Railway Engineer’s yearly pay in the United States is approximately $90,450, which is 20% above the national average. This is based on 1,540 salary reviews on indeed.com.
Glassdoor puts the Average salaries for BNSF Railway Locomotive Engineers at $104374
Similarly, the average salary for a Locomotive Engineer at BNSF Railway Company is $120,000 Payscale.
So, you can expect a BNSF Train Engineer salary of above $90k on average.
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How Much Does a Metro North Train Engineer Make in 2023
The average MTA Metro North Train Senior Engineer’s yearly pay in the United States is approximately $93,242. This is 22% below the national average, according to Indeed.com
Similarly, Glassdoor puts the estimated total pay for an Electrical Engineer at $100,576 per year in the United States, with an average salary of $81,425 per year.
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How Much Does a CSX Train Engineer Make in 2023?
The typical CSX Train Engineer’s salary is $43 per hour. Locomotive Engineer salaries at CSX can range from $24 – $72 per hour, according to Glassdoor
Similarly, indeed.com puts the average CSX Engineer’s yearly pay in the United States at approximately $88,915. This is 18% above the national average. This salary information comes from 28 data on indeed.com.
We also saw an average salary for a Locomotive Engineer at CSX Corp of $104498 per year.
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How Much is a Release Train Engineer Salary in 2023?
The average Release Train Engineer salary in the USA is $135,000 per year or $69.23 per hour, according to Talent.com.
Entry-level positions start at $115,700 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $164,650 per year.
Glassdoor puts the national average for a Release Train Engineer salary at $108,981 per year in the United States.
As of Jun 7, 2022, the average annual pay for an Agile Release Train Engineer salary in Texas is $136,914 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.
A quick calculation gives us approximately $65.82 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,633/week or $11,409/month.
The pay appears to be a bit lower in NJC, where the average annual pay for a Release Train Engineer in Newark, NJC, is $128,787 per year.
How Much Does a Release Train Engineer Make in Uk
Release Train Engineers are among the highest-paid, even abroad. The average release train engineer salary in the UK is £66,500 per year or £34.10 per hour, according to Talent.com
Entry-level positions start at £55,000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to £80,000 per year.
Similarly, Glassdoor puts the estimated total pay for a Release Train Engineer at £61,479 per year in London, UK, with an average salary of £56,277 per year.
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How Much Does a Senior Release Train Engineer Make in 2023?
The national average salary for a Senior Release Train Engineer is $142,345 per year in the United States, according to Glassdoor
We filtered by location and got an estimated total Senior Release salary of Train $127,595 per year in the Texas area, with an average salary of $113,844 per year.
The number appears higher in New Jessey. The estimated total pay for a Senior Release Train Engineer is $132,459 per year in NJ, with an average salary of $119,074 per year.
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How Much Does an Atlanta Path Train Engineer Make in 2023?
The average salary for a Locomotive Engineer is $79,087 per year in Atlanta, GA Area. Salaries estimates are based on 10 salaries submitted on Glassdoor.
Similarly, Salary.com puts the average Railway Engineer salary in Atlanta, Georgia at $80,404. However, the salary range typically falls between $73475 and $89225.
How Much Does a Brightline Train Engineer Make in 2023?
The average bright line (FL) hourly pay ranges from approximately $18 per hour for an undefined to $18 per hour for an undefined according to Glassdoor.
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Are There Other Benefits of Being a Train Engineer Aside From the Salary?
A lot of people in this role say it offers excellent benefits, and some include a wonderful retirement plan. Some speak well about Healthcare is good and compensation.
The following are some of the specific benefits of being a Train Engineer:
- Get the thrill of getting around a locomotive engineer.
- Many Travel Opportunities.
- See different places and cultures
- Avoid working outdoors in the cold.
- Gain people’s appreciation
- No college degree
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What are Train Engineer Job Prospects?
The overall job outlook for Locomotive Engineer careers has been positive since 2004. Vacancies for this career have increased by 18.63 percent nationwide in that time, with an average growth of 1.16 percent per year. Demand for Locomotive Engineers is expected to go down, with an expected -10,490 jobs shed by 2029.
The overall employment of railroad workers is projected to grow 5% from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is lower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, the BLS projects about 7,000 openings for railroad workers each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retiring.
Conclusion
Train engineers earn good pay and benefits but mostly complain about having to spend little time with families.
However, if this job interest you, you can go for it if you love being on the road away from home.
You might want to get some experience being a conductor or any similar role.
Frequently Asked Questions on train engineer salary
Do train engineers make good money?
Despite employing only 70 people in such positions, state governments paid the highest wages of any industry to locomotive engineers.
They earned an annual salary of up to $87,960, or $42.29 per hour.
How much earns an engineer in the USA?
Engineers make a median annual wage of $100,640 per year, and the engineering field is projected to have employment growth of 6% from 2020 to 2030—nearly 146,000 new jobs over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What is the income of railway engineers?
The average Train Engineer’s salary in the United States is $94,057 in 2022, according to salary.com.
Which is the highest-paid engineering field in the USA?
- Petroleum EngineerElectrical Engineer
- Computer Hardware Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- Big Data Engineer
- Nuclear Engineer
Do train engineers make good money?
Despite employing only 70 people in such positions, state governments paid the highest wages of any industry to locomotive engineers.
They earned an annual salary of up to $87,960, or $42.29 per hour.
How much earns an engineer in USA?
Engineers make a median annual wage of $100,640 per year and the engineering field is projected to have employment growth of 6% from 2020 to 2030—nearly 146,000 new jobs over the next decade according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What is the income of railway engineer?
The average Train Engineer salary in the United States is $94,057 in 2022 according to salary.com.
Which is the highest paid engineering field in USA?
- Petroleum EngineerElectrical Engineer
- Computer Hardware Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- Big Data Engineer
- Nuclear Engineer
References
- www.ziprecruiter.com – What Is the Average Train Engineer Salary by State
- www.bls.gov – Railroad Workers
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