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Locomotive Engineer

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AVG. SALARY

$82,290

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EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

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High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster Transportation Operations pathway.

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

High school (GED), plus on-the-job training

Rail companies typically require workers to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. However, employers may prefer to hire workers who have postsecondary education, such as coursework, a certificate, or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Locomotive engineers typically receive 3 or more months of on-the-job training before they can operate a train on their own.

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Insider Info

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Extra Requirements

Locomotive engineers and conductors must be certified by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The certifications, conducted by the railroad that employs them, involve a written knowledge test, a skills test, and a supervisor determination that the engineer or conductor understands all physical aspects of the particular route on which he or she will be operating. Engineers who change routes must be recertified for the new route. Even engineers and conductors who do not switch routes must be recertified every few years.

For additional information, visit these websites:

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