Locomotive Engineer salary in Montana
Locomotive Engineers in Montana earn a median of $90,220 a year ($43.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,950 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $81,410. Montana ranks 10th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.93 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,460 | $38.68 |
| 25th percentile | $90,220 | $43.38 |
| Median | $90,220 | $43.38 |
| 75th percentile | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,950 | $61.04 |
| Average (mean) | $95,640 | $45.98 |
Half of locomotive engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,518.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,759.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,470 |
| Weekly | $1,735 |
| Hourly | $43.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for locomotive engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $109,220 |
| Massachusetts | $108,790 |
| Mississippi | $96,710 |
| Minnesota | $93,700 |
| Illinois | $93,320 |
| Indiana | $92,790 |
| Florida | $92,310 |
| Oklahoma | $91,970 |
| Virginia | $90,780 |
| Montana | $90,220 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,060 | $23.10 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $41,860 | $20.12 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $45,640 | $21.94 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locomotive engineer make in Montana?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in Montana is $90,220 a year, or $43.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in Montana?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in Montana earn at least $126,950 a year. The top 25% earn $90,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,460 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $90,220 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in Montana?
About 470 locomotive engineers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.