73310 – Railway and yard locomotive engineers
TEER 3Occupations usually requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Lead statement
Railway locomotive engineers Railway locomotive engineers operate railway locomotives to transport passengers and freight.
Main duties
- Operate locomotives to transport passengers and freight on railways
- Operate communication systems to communicate with train crews and traffic controllers to ensure safe operation and scheduling of trains
- Inspect assigned locomotives and test operating controls and equipment.
- Operate locomotives to switch, couple and uncouple cars for loading and unloading
- Perform switching operations according to written switching orders or dispatched instructions
- Inspect locomotives, replenish fuel or perform routine maintenance on locomotives.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Experience as a conductor is required for railway locomotive engineers and may be required for yard locomotive engineers.
- Railway locomotive engineers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
- Experience as a railway yard worker may be required for yard locomotive engineers.
Example job titles
freight train engineer · passenger train locomotive engineer · passenger train engineer · railway engineer · railway locomotive engineer · yard locomotive engineer - railway · locomotive engineer - railway · yard engineer - railway
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $33.00 | $50.00 | $68.85 |
| Nova Scotia | $28.04 | $45.85 | $56.34 |
| New Brunswick | $37.82 | $50.52 | $60.68 |
| Quebec | $31.97 | $43.00 | $64.90 |
| Ontario | $32.05 | $56.09 | $72.12 |
| Manitoba | $32.88 | $43.96 | $72.53 |
| Saskatchewan | $32.05 | $44.87 | $67.31 |
| Alberta | $35.34 | $48.63 | $62.16 |
| British Columbia | $36.55 | $54.00 | $69.71 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.