Locomotive Engineer salary in South Dakota
Locomotive Engineers in South Dakota earn a median of $69,180 a year ($33.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,640 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $81,410. South Dakota ranks 31st of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.34 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| 25th percentile | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| Median | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| 75th percentile | $69,200 | $33.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Average (mean) | $70,010 | $33.66 |
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 | $5,765 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,882.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,660.77 |
| Weekly | $1,330.38 |
| Hourly | $33.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota 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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,310 | $17.46 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in South Dakota is $69,180 a year, or $33.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in South Dakota earn at least $81,640 a year. The top 25% earn $69,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,730 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $69,180 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in South Dakota?
About 150 locomotive engineers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.