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Locomotive mechanic vs locomotive engineer

The differences between locomotive mechanics and locomotive engineers 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 mechanic and a locomotive engineer. Additionally, a locomotive engineer has an average salary of $55,268, which is higher than the $41,991 average annual salary of a locomotive mechanic.

The top three skills for a locomotive mechanic include locomotives, hand tools and FRA. The most important skills for a locomotive engineer are safety procedures, locomotives, and FRA.

Locomotive mechanic vs locomotive engineer overview

Locomotive MechanicLocomotive Engineer
Yearly salary$41,991$55,268
Hourly rate$20.19$26.57
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs34,1781,005
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4247
Years of experience22

Locomotive mechanic vs locomotive engineer salary

Locomotive mechanics and locomotive engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Locomotive MechanicLocomotive Engineer
Average salary$41,991$55,268
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $55,000Between $39,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between locomotive mechanic and locomotive engineer education

There are a few differences between a locomotive mechanic and a locomotive engineer in terms of educational background:

Locomotive MechanicLocomotive Engineer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Locomotive mechanic vs locomotive engineer demographics

Here are the differences between locomotive mechanics' and locomotive engineers' demographics:

Locomotive MechanicLocomotive Engineer
Average age4247
Gender ratioMale, 96.2% Female, 3.8%Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%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%
LGBT Percentage2%12%

Differences between locomotive mechanic and locomotive engineer duties and responsibilities

Locomotive mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Provide routine maintenance, troubleshooting and repair to EMD and G.E.
  • Repair running gears: wheels, springs, hangers, and brake rigging traction motors.
  • weld with arc and mig welding.
  • Preform overhauls on EMD 12V645E diesel electric engines.
  • Work closely with contractors, FRA, OSHA and safety officers
  • Operate cutting torches or welding equipment to cut or join metal parts
  • Show more

Locomotive engineer example responsibilities.

  • Receive verbal directions via radio or hand signals from conductors and brakemen and subsequently follow directions accordingly.
  • Marshal 90-car coal trains for transfer to CSX.
  • Qualify on GCOR and CSX signal and operating rules.
  • Evaluate train make-up to properly handle placement of HAZMAT materials.
  • Master all rules, signals, equipment, and physical characteristics including those of Conrail and Amtrak.
  • Couple and uncouple rail cars by operating controls such as throttles, airbrakes, switches, gates, and wheel chocks.
  • Show more

Locomotive mechanic vs locomotive engineer skills

Common locomotive mechanic skills
  • Locomotives, 28%
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • FRA, 13%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Torches, 8%
  • Traction, 8%
Common locomotive engineer skills
  • Safety Procedures, 13%
  • Locomotives, 13%
  • FRA, 10%
  • Rail Cars, 6%
  • Conductors, 6%
  • Safety Rules, 5%

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