As of February 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Railroad Engineer in Illinois is $81,420, equivalent to $39 per hour, $1,566 weekly, or $6,785 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Railroad Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Railroad Engineer in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $70,378 to $93,387. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($75,640) and 75th percentile ($87,684), while top earners (90th percentile) make $93,387 per year. This $12,044 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Commitment or Equipment Maintenance, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Railroad Engineer often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 44 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Railroad Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
