Locomotive Engineer FAQ

No. Railroads train new hires, usually as conductors first.

Often one to several years, depending on the railroad.

Freight schedules are often on call; passenger jobs are more regular.

The median annual wage for locomotive engineers was $81,410 ($39.14 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $60,680 and the highest 10% earned more than $109,220.

Most people need about 1–2 years including conductor time of training. A high school diploma is typical. Engineers complete railroad training, usually after working as conductors, and must be certified under FRA rules, including knowledge, skills and territory qualifications.

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

It can be, depending on your goals. Employment is projected to change +0.5% from 2025–35 (little or no change), with about 2,000 openings each year. Upsides include strong pay and benefits; a common challenge is that on-call schedules and irregular sleep.

Key technical skills include train handling, air brake systems, signal and rule knowledge, and locomotive inspection. Employers also value concentration, responsibility, and calm decision making.

Common credentials include FRA locomotive engineer certification, Conductor certification, Territory qualification, and Rules exams. Locomotive engineers must be certified by their railroad under FRA regulations, with periodic recertification, vision and hearing tests and review of their safety record.