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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Locomotive Operator in Illinois is $48,879 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.
However, a Locomotive Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Locomotive Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $57,035 | $4,753 | $1,097 | $27 |
| Average | $48,879 | $4,073 | $940 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,866 | $3,406 | $786 | $20 |
Siouxland Community Health Center - SIOUX CITY, IA
TSG - The Sheridan Group - HARTFORD, VT
TSG - The Sheridan Group - GRANTHAM, NH
TSG - The Sheridan Group - WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT
A Locomotive Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Locomotive Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Locomotiv... Level Locomotive Operator | $49,435 |
| Traffic C... Level Locomotive Operator | $54,487 |
| Traffic C... Level Locomotive Operator | $68,231 |
| Traffic S... Level Locomotive Operator | $82,745 |
| Traffic M... Level Locomotive Operator | $107,012 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Locomotive Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Locomotive Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Locomotive Operator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Locomotive Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $58,655 | $28.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $58,655 | $28.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $58,655 | $28.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $56,211 | $27.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $56,211 | $27.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Locomotive Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $57,035 | $4,753 | $1,097 | $27 |
| Average | $48,879 | $4,073 | $940 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,866 | $3,406 | $786 | $20 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Locomotive Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
TSG - The Sheridan Group
WEST WOODSTOCK, VT
Orica
NORTH POLE, AK
Orica | NORTH POLE, AK
Orica is seeking a dedicated Plant Operator to join our Manufacturing & Production team in the Mining & Quarrying sector. In this role, you will operate an... more
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TSG - The Sheridan Group
HARTFORD, VT
TSG - The Sheridan Group | HARTFORD, VT
TSG – The Sheridan Group seeks an Operator 8-Unit Web to run and maintain multi-unit web offset presses in our Printing Media, Manufacturing & Production o... more
13 Days Ago
TSG - The Sheridan Group
WILDER, VT
TSG - The Sheridan Group | WILDER, VT
TSG – The Sheridan Group seeks an Operator 8-Unit Web to run and maintain multi-unit web offset presses in our Printing Media, Manufacturing & Production o... more
13 Days Ago
TSG - The Sheridan Group
RUSSTOWN, VT
TSG - The Sheridan Group | RUSSTOWN, VT
TSG – The Sheridan Group seeks an Operator 8-Unit Web to run and maintain multi-unit web offset presses in our Printing Media, Manufacturing & Production o... more
13 Days Ago
TSG - The Sheridan Group
NORTH THETFORD, VT
TSG - The Sheridan Group | NORTH THETFORD, VT
TSG – The Sheridan Group seeks an Operator 8-Unit Web to run and maintain multi-unit web offset presses in our Printing Media, Manufacturing & Production o... more
14 Days Ago
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