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The differences between locomotive engineers and locomotive operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a locomotive engineer and a locomotive operator. Additionally, a locomotive engineer has an average salary of $55,268, which is higher than the $51,047 average annual salary of a locomotive operator.
The top three skills for a locomotive engineer include safety procedures, locomotives and FRA. The most important skills for a locomotive operator are locomotives, switches, and safety inspections.
Locomotive engineers and locomotive operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Locomotive Engineer | Locomotive Operator | |
| Average salary | $55,268 | $51,047 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $76,000 | Between $37,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a locomotive engineer and a locomotive operator in terms of educational background:
| Locomotive Engineer | Locomotive Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between locomotive engineers' and locomotive operators' demographics:
| Locomotive Engineer | Locomotive Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8% | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 1.9% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 1.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |