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Locomotive Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Tennessee (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Locomotive Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Tennessee? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

38% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Tennessee salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$66,060
$5,505/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$81,410
$6,784/mo
Senior (P90)
$91,490
$7,624/mo

Tennessee vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$66,060
National: $65,436
+1.0%
Mid-Career (Median)
$81,410
National: $83,157
-2.1%
Senior (P90)
$91,490
National: $100,488
-9.0%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Locomotive Engineers in Tennessee spans from $66,060 at entry-level to $91,490 at senior level — a difference of $25,430 per year.

P10
$66K
P25
$80K
Median
$81K
P75
$81K
P90
$91K

Career Growth Premium: +38%

Senior Locomotive Engineerss in Tennessee earn $25,430 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$25,430
Monthly Difference
+$2,119
Hourly Difference
+$12.23
Growth Multiple
1.4x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Locomotive Engineers salary increases with experience in Tennessee, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $66,060 $5,505 $31.76
Early Career P25 $80,660 $6,722 $38.78
Mid-Career Median $81,410 $6,784 $39.14
Experienced P75 $81,900 $6,825 $39.38
Senior / Expert P90 $91,490 $7,624 $43.99
Key Insight

Locomotive Engineers in Tennessee has a moderate salary progression with a 38% growth from entry-level ($66,060) to senior ($91,490). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($81,410) and P90 ($91,490) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Tennessee Compares to Other States

Where does Tennessee rank for Locomotive Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare Tennessee's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$211,440
Entry: $59K
+254%
2
$168,600
Entry: $84K
+100%
3
$152,420
Entry: $76K
+100%
4
$129,020
Entry: $62K
+105%
5
$127,380
Entry: $60K
+110%
6
$126,950
Entry: $80K
+58%
7
$125,830
Entry: $57K
+118%
8
$110,280
Entry: $61K
+80%
9
$107,060
Entry: $85K
+25%
10
$105,080
Entry: $63K
+66%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Locomotive Engineers?

Entry-level Locomotive Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $66,060 per year, or $5,505 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $80,660. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Locomotive Engineers make?

Senior Locomotive Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $91,490 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $81,900. This represents a career premium of 38% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Locomotive Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Locomotive Engineerss is 38%. Entry-level professionals start at $66,060, while senior-level can earn up to $91,490 — a difference of $25,430 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Locomotive Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Locomotive Engineerss is Tennessee, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $91,490 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Locomotive Engineers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Tennessee from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Tennessee.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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