Locomotive Engineers
Transportation and Material Moving
You run electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives, using throttles and air brakes after the conductor signals a start. The job means reading train orders, track signals, and railroad rules, watching gauges for speed, power, and brake pressure, and scanning tracks for obstacles. By radio you share information on stops, delays, and oncoming trains with conductors and traffic control, and you call out signals so assistants can confirm them. Runs may haul freight or passengers between stations or assemble trains in a yard. It suits people who like controlling heavy equipment, reading rules carefully, and making steady decisions in traffic.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$81'410
Median Wage Market Position
$81'410
What you might do
- Drive freight or passenger locomotives between stations
- Read train orders, signals, and railroad rules
- Control speed with throttles and air brakes
- Watch gauges for speed, pressure, and charge
- Radio conductors about stops, delays, or traffic
- Call out signals so the assistant can confirm
Skills that matter
- Driving locomotives with throttles and air brakes
- Interpreting train orders, signals, and railroad rules
- Watching speed, amperage, and brake-pressure gauges
- Radioing conductors about stops, delays, and oncoming trains
- Confirming brake tests at shunting stations
- Calling out signals for assistants to confirm
AI & the future of this role
Route monitoring and signal compliance may become more automated over time, yet real-time judgment on tracks, weather, and emergencies still matters. Licensing, liability, and hands-on control of heavy equipment tend to keep human operators central.
Does Locomotive Engineers fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details