How much do train engineer's get paid?

Question

I'm exploring different career possibilities and I would really like to become a train engineer after high school. I have been a railfan since birth and I really want to do something I would enjoy. I was wondering how much you get paid, I'm looking at Norfolk Southern since there is a training facility a couple miles away.

Answer 1

I work for CSX and make about $350 per day, which is based upon trip rates.  I make this working 12 hours or as little as 2 hours.

Answer 2

It's dependent on where you work, what job you work where you're at, and what contract you work under........and also the carrier.  I work for BNSF.  Frisco agreement.  Yard pay is around $55k-60k/year.  Road is around $70k-85k/year.  Go about 50 miles away to another depot and the pay is way different because they have longer miles/trips.  This is about the average pay you could expect to make.  I'd stay away from NS and try to get on with Union Pacific or BNSF.  They are the two bread winners and have better pay and employee working conditions and benefits.

Just to add another note.  You can't just get hired as an engineer.  You have to be hired as a conductor first.  Once you have been a conductor for a while and your seniority number is high enough, you can bid on an engineer class.  Some places need engineers right away so you may have to wait only a few months.  Other places don't have a need for as many engineers and there may not be a class offered for a few years.  The quicker you get hired as a conductor, the faster you can be an engineer.  TIME IS MONEY!

Answer 3

Depends on which railroad you want to work for their are a number of options I'll point them out: Union Pacific, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe, Norfolk and Southern, C.S.X, and Conrail.

Answer 4

No one I know can explain it better than what Ziggie has said above...

Answer 5

Not enough money! There is no home life, and if you plan on  training to reach this level of engineer. You better stay single. It's tuff building a family life. Your always on call at a moments notice. I am sure my engineer friends will explain it better then me,  and in the real world of a railroad engineer.