Jobs / Transportation and material moving / 53-4011.00
Locomotive Engineers
Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.
- US jobs
- 33,470
- Median wage
- $81,410 a year
- Job family
- Transportation and material moving
Can agents do the work of locomotive engineers?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Transportation and material moving: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)
No direct benchmark gives a success rate.
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 20%Communicate with others about operational plans or activitiesNot measured
- 14%Monitor resources or inventoriesNot measured
- 13%Operate transportation equipment or vehiclesNot measured
- 9%Monitor operations to ensure adequate performanceNot measured
- 8%Monitor equipment operationNot measured
- 8%Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or propertiesNot measured
- 7%Inspect vehiclesNot measured
- 7%Intervene in crisis situations or emergenciesNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in transportation and material moving, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
- 82%Waymo Driver (rider-only, 220.6M miles through March 2026) · Mar 2026Unrated
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
- Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
- Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
- Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
- Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
- Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
- Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
- Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
- Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
- Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
- Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
Other job titles for this occupation (17)
Engineer · Passenger Locomotive Engineer · Railroad Engineer · Steam Locomotive Engineer · Steam Locomotive Fireman · Through Freight Engineer · Train Engineer · Trainmaster · Transportation Specialist · Diesel Engineer · Diesel Locomotive Engineer · Freight Engineer · Narrow Gauge Engineer · Operator Engineer · Pilot Fuel Engineer · Railroad Operating Engineer · Railway Engineer