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Train engineer vs locomotive operator

The differences between train 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 train engineer and a locomotive operator. Additionally, a train engineer has an average salary of $82,531, which is higher than the $51,047 average annual salary of a locomotive operator.

The top three skills for a train engineer include pi planning, release train and scrum. The most important skills for a locomotive operator are locomotives, switches, and safety inspections.

Train engineer vs locomotive operator overview

Train EngineerLocomotive Operator
Yearly salary$82,531$51,047
Hourly rate$39.68$24.54
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs21,63926,009
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4747
Years of experience22

Train engineer vs locomotive operator salary

Train engineers and locomotive operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Train EngineerLocomotive Operator
Average salary$82,531$51,047
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $133,000Between $37,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyChevron-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between train engineer and locomotive operator education

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

Train EngineerLocomotive Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringBusiness
Most common college--

Train engineer vs locomotive operator demographics

Here are the differences between train engineers' and locomotive operators' demographics:

Train EngineerLocomotive Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 81.0% Female, 19.0%Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 1.9% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between train engineer and locomotive operator duties and responsibilities

Train engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage general facilities including commissioning, building management systems, and calibrations for GMP area for tablets production operation.
  • Used VRML and Java for interfacing (EAI).
  • Gain experience as an EIT.
  • Support the scrum development team by resolving impediments.
  • Perform asphalt, concrete, and soil testing.
  • Optimize department SharePoint site by arranging new folder structure and project tracking numbers.
  • Show more

Locomotive operator example responsibilities.

  • Assist in Geo-fencing GPS mapping project to enable more accurate tracking of locomotives in order to improve operational efficiency
  • Maintain consistent understanding of industry rules and regulations regarding compliance and safety of both the carrier and FRA.
  • Operate and perform basic maintenance on locomotives.
  • Confer with conductors and other workers via radio-telephones or computers to exchange switching information.
  • Service and maintain the LACT units.
  • Monitor rail station CCTV equipment.
  • Show more

Train engineer vs locomotive operator skills

Common train engineer skills
  • Pi Planning, 21%
  • Release Train, 17%
  • Scrum, 13%
  • RTE, 11%
  • PI, 7%
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
Common locomotive operator skills
  • Locomotives, 18%
  • Switches, 17%
  • Safety Inspections, 13%
  • Air Brakes, 12%
  • FRA, 7%
  • Safety Regulations, 7%

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