Loco Pilot Salary in India: Overview 2024
Loco Pilots are in charge of engines, passenger trains, and commuter trains. They depict railway instructions, markers, and rules guiding locomotive operation. Direct recruitment is for the position of Assistant Loco Pilot, which is subsequently advanced to Senior Assistant Loco Pilot and then to Loco Pilot. A Loco Pilot's initial monthly wage in India starts at INR 19,900. However, with experience and updated abilities, a Loco Pilot's monthly income might reach INR 1.09 lakhs. So far, the highest Loco Pilot pay is INR 15 LPA.
Most firms hire loco pilot assistants as Group C personnel. To become an Assistant Loco Pilot, a candidate must be between 18 and 28 years old. RBB conducts an admission exam for qualified individuals. After many years of service, the Loco Pilot is promoted to Power Controller, Crew Controller, and Loco Supervisor.Who are the Loco Pilots (Railway Driver)?
A loco pilot is in charge of running trains and ensuring that they are maintained efficiently and effectively throughout transportation. It is a senior job in the Indian Railways. The eligibility criteria for recruitment as an Assistant Loco Pilot are detailed further below (ALP).
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Eligibility Criteria for Loco Pilots
The fundamental eligibility requirements for becoming a Loco Pilot are outlined below-
- Candidate having Indian, Nepalese, or Bhutanese citizenship.
- Must have completed the 10th/High School/Matriculation/SSC examination or its equivalent from a recognized board.
- You must be between 18 and 28 years old.
- ITI program must be from an institution recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training or the State Council for Vocational Training.
- Engineering credentials from an All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) a recognized institute in any of the electrical, electronic, mechanical, or automotive engineering disciplines.
- Acting Apprenticeship Program.
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Loco Pilot (Railway Driver) In-Hand Salary 2024
The standard salary scale of Rs. 19,900/-is provided to candidates. The Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance, and other allowances are among the many to which they are entitled. Combing the other allowances, it constitutes their monthly in-hand salary. In 2024, the monthly Loco Pilot salary ranges from around Rs. 35,000/-. Candidates are guaranteed competitive and fulfilling compensation with this all-inclusive package.
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Qualifications for a Loco Pilot (Railway Driver) in India
The fundamental qualities required to become a Loco Pilot are listed below-
Course Name | Provided By | Average Fees (INR) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
Engineering Diplomas | Department of Automobile Engineering, A.P.C. Ray Polytechnic Kolkata, Aligarh Muslim University, etc. | 10k - 5 LPA | 7 lakh |
Apprenticeship Course | NSDC ( National Skill Development Corporation ) | 15k - 1.50 LPA | 1.5 lakh |
ITI Program | ACMT ITI College in Delhi, Government Industrial Training Institute, etc. | 1k - 9k | 1.8 lakh |
Also Read: Aviation Courses after 12th and Loco Pilot Qualification.
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Loco Pilot (Railway Driver) Duties
A loco pilot's key tasks are as follows-
- To take safeguards in the event of any unusual or unforeseen situations.
- Unless one speedometer, in the case of the electric locomotive, or two, in the case of the other locomotives is malfunctioning, loco pilots must observe the train's sanctioned speed.
- They should control the movement of trains based on time and speed.
- They maintain the speed guidelines and the time between stations.
- When the guard is not present, loco pilots conduct their duty by inspecting the electrical couplings of the train units.
- They calculate where to cut the power when stopping the train, taking into account the grade, weather, rail condition, train length, weight, and drag power.
- At stand stations, examine the engines for cleanliness and request cleaning if necessary.
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Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Salary Structure 2024
The salary structure of a Loco Pilot consists of base pay, allowances, and extra benefits. The table below shows the Loco Pilot salary structure:
RRB ALP salary | Pay in INR |
Pay scale | 20,500 |
Dearness Allowances | 1,066 |
House rent allowances | 2,132 |
Transport allowances | 936 |
Night duty allowances | 2,012 |
AR-T/ AL-C | 36 |
KMA | 13,707 |
Net deductions | 3,032 |
Net Salary | 37,714 |
Loco Pilot Salary Compensation 2024
There are monthly allowances and other benefits provided by the Ministry of Indian Railway to Loco Pilot. The table below shows the Loco Pilot Salary Compensation:
Allowances title | Monthly Allowances (INR) |
Dearness allowance | 1,066 |
House rent allowances | 2,132 |
Transport allowances | 936 |
Night duty allowances | 2,012 |
Loco Pilot Salary (Railway Driver) 2024: Post Wise
The table below shows the Loco pilot salary 2024 post wise:
Posts | Salary Range |
Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) | Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 35,000/- |
Loco Pilot (Goods) | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 56,000/- |
Loco Pilot (Mail) | Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 78,000/- |
Shunting Loco Pilot | Rs. 28,000 to Rs. 38,000/- |
Loco Pilot Passenger (Passenger) | Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 66,000/- |
Loco Pilot (High Speed) | Rs. 77,000 to Rs. 88,000/- |
Senior Section Engineer | Rs. 17,140/- |
Traffic Apprentice | Rs. 13,500/- |
Technician Grade 3 | Rs. 7,730/- |
Technician Grade 2 | Rs. 9,910/- |
Loco Pilot Salary 2024 After 7th Pay Commission
Candidates intending to join the railway sector in 2024 must apply for the RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) position after the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission. The table below shows a detailed analysis of the main components of the ALP salary, including allowances and deductions:
Allowances | Amount | Recoveries | Amount |
Pay | Rs. 5,830/- | NPS | Rs. 1,848/- |
Grade Pay | Rs. 1,900/- | Income Tax | Rs. 0 |
HRA | Rs. 1,005/- | – | – |
DA | Rs. 10,752/- | – | – |
TPA | Rs. 828/- | – | – |
NDA | Rs. 387/- | – | – |
Running Allowance | Rs. 6,050/- | – | – |
Gross Pay | Rs. 26,752/- | Deductions | Rs. 1,848/- |
Total Deduction | Rs. 1,848/- | – | – |
Net Pay | Rs. 24,904/- | – | – |
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Organization Wise
The table below shows the average Loco Pilot Salary 2024 based on the company:
Name of the Company | Average Annual Salary (in ₹) |
Unirail | ₹0.20-5,00,000 |
Hyderabad Metro Rail | ₹2,00,000-3,90,000 |
Indian Railways | ₹2,40,000-22,00,000 |
Adani Ports and SEZ | ₹7,30,000-30,10,000 |
South Central Railway | ₹4,80,000-12,00,000 |
TATA Steel | ₹2,00,000-3,10,000 |
Western Railway | ₹3,20,000-15,00,000 |
Coromandel International | ₹3,00,000-4,70,000 |
Indian Airforce | ₹0.10-11,50,000 |
Ministry of Railways | ₹4,00,000-6,00,000 |
Railway Recruitment Board, Guwahati | ₹2,20,000-17,30,000 |
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: City Wise
The table below shows the Loco Pilot Salary 2024 based on the city:
Name of the City | Average Annual Salary (in ₹) |
Kolkata | ₹3,60,000 |
Visakhapatnam | ₹3,30,000 |
Rourkela | ₹2,80,000 |
Bhubaneswar | ₹3,10,000 |
Hyderabad | ₹5,00,000 |
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Experience Wise
- Freshmen begin as APLs and advance to Senior ALPs after 6 to 8 years of experience.
- Senior ALPs with 10 years of service or more are promoted to the position of Loco-Pilots.
- An LP with 10 to 15 years of railway experience is suitable for advancement into the Indian Railways' managerial and administrative sectors.
The following table shows the years of experience with the average annual salary-
Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
0-2 years | 2.40 lakh |
2-5 years | 7.60 lakh |
5-10 years | 6 lakh |
10-15 years | 9 lakh |
15 years and above | 12 lakh and above |
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Loco Pilot Salary (Railway Driver) in India 2024
- Loco Pilot salaries in India range from INR 19,900 to 1.04 LPA.
- ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) and LP (Local Pilot) yearly salaries are INR 30,000 and INR 50,000, respectively.
- The starting salary for an Assistant Loco Pilot is INR 3 LPA.
- A loco pilot's annual income might reach INR 40 LPA.
- Loco Pilots are paid a monthly salary of INR 1,900, plus other benefits such as severance, dearness, home rent, transportation, and night tasks.
- Other advantages and privileges for loco pilots include-
- Allowance for House Rent (HRA)
- Allowance for Night Duty
- Allowance for Running
- Transportation Allowance
- Allowance for Dearness (DA)
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: How to Become a Loco Pilot in India’s Railway Sector
Step 1: Completion of 10+2 from a recognized board
Aspiring applicants should have completed their Class XI or equivalent course from a recognized board. They must obtain at least 50% marks in english, physics, mathematics, mechanics, electronics, and computers. Before becoming locomotive pilots, they will first work as assistants.
To qualify for the locomotive pilot post, candidates must first pass the diploma engineering entrance test after clearing 10+2. The entrance covers streams such as electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, automobile engineering, and electrical engineering.
Step 2: Getting a Diploma Degree
The aspiring candidates can apply for a diploma degree in railway engineering or any relevant stream. This will help the candidate understand the duties, responsibilities, rules, and regulations.
Step 3: Applying for Associate Degree
A candidate must also meet various eligibility requirements, depending on the college to which he or she is applying for a bachelor's degree. Let us remind you that the application processes and selection criteria differ depending on the educational institution.
The RRB ALP (Railway Recruitment Board Assistant Locomotive Pilot) exam is held to recruit candidates for the Indian Railways. To be considered for the ALP post, candidates must complete the computer-based tests (CBT 1 and CBT 2 Exam) as well as the computer-based aptitude exam (CBAT).
Step 4: ITI Programs
Candidates must also complete an ITI (Industrial Training Institute) program at a recognized educational institution approved by the National Council for Vocational Training or a state council for vocational training.
They may also pursue engineering degrees from an AICTE-accredited college specializing in electronic, electrical, automotive, or mechanical engineering. In India, the average salary for an ITI ranges from ₹1.2 lakhs to ₹4.8 lakh.
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Loco Pilot Salary (Railway Driver) 2024 and Job Profile
The following table shows the various job profiles and the annual salary of Loco Pilot-
| Salary (INR) |
Job Description |
Salary Description | ||
Average Salary | Junior Salary | Senior Salary | |||
Senior Loco Pilot |
50000 |
40000 |
70000 | They are responsible for a variety of activities relating to signaling, maintaining appropriate loco operation, and aiding seniors with minor repairs while the loco is in operation. | They may earn up to Rs. 40 LPA on average. The starting salary of a Senior loco pilot is more than Rs. 5 LPA, rising to more than Rs. 8 LPA. |
Assistant Loco Pilot |
30000 |
20000 |
50000 | They are in charge of giving out the signal, perfecting the loco, and doing routine maintenance on the loco. They are also responsible for providing information, ensuring the correct running of the loco, and aiding seniors with basic maintenance as needed while working. |
Depending on experience, the entry-level income might be as high as 3 LPA, rising to more than 6 LPA. |
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Allowances & Benefits
The Loco Pilots under the purview of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) enjoy a comprehensive set of allowances and perks, contributing to an appealing overall compensation package. Here, we detail the primary allowances and benefits available to Loco Pilots in the year 2024:
House Rent Allowance (HRA): Loco pilots are entitled to House Rent Allowance, which aids in covering accommodation costs based on their posting location.
- Dearness Allowance (DA): To offset the increasing cost of living, DA is provided and regularly adjusted to account for inflation.
- Transport Allowance: Loco pilotsreceive a transport allowance to facilitate their daily commute to and from their workplace.
- Home City and All India Travel Allowances: These allowances are crafted to support travel requirements, both within their home city and across India.
- Running Allowance (based on kilometers traveled): Loco pilots receive running allowances, determined by the distance covered during their duties.
- Free Medical Facilities: Loco pilots and their dependents are entitled to complimentary medical services at Railway and Empanelled Hospitals, ensuring their healthcare needs are met.
- Free Railway Tickets for Family Members: Family members of Loco pilots can avail themselves of complimentary railway tickets on specified routes, promoting convenient travel.
- Gratuity: A gratuity payment serves as a token of appreciation for the long and dedicated service of Loco pilots.
- Leave Entitlements: Loco pilots enjoy generous leave entitlements, including 30 days of earned leave, 12 days of casual leave, and 30 days of half-pay leave or medical leave.
- New Pension Scheme (NPS): A 10% deduction from the salary is allocated towards the New Pension Scheme, securing the financial future of Loco pilots.
| FAQs on Loco Pilot Salary |
| Q. What is loco pilot salary per month? |
| A. Average monthly salary for Loco Pilot in India is ₹ 44,923. Additional cash compensation on average for a Loco Pilot in the India is ₹1,752 with the range of - ₹1,734 ₹57,156. |
| Q. Is loco pilot a good job? |
| A. The Indian railway system is reliant on the loco pilots, who take on the duty of keeping train engines under upkeep and in good working condition. Due to this being a public sector, loco pilots find excellent job opportunities and receive good returns on their remunerations. |
| Q. What is the job hour of loco pilot? |
| A. Indian Railways provides appropriate working conditions to loco pilots. Loco Pilots come under Continuous Category. According to Section 132 (2) of Railway Act, 1989, the average duty hours are 54 hours over a two-weekly period of fourteen days for staff working under the Continuous category. |
| Q. Can 12th pass apply loco pilot? |
| A. A loco pilot is a candidate who follows from any stream of study can do so after 12th or equivalent. For different streams, the aspirants must appear for a diploma in engineering entrance exam either in Mechanical, Electronics, or Electrical, or automobile to become eligible as a Loco pilot after 12th. |
| Q. Is loco pilot group B or C? |
| A. Assistant Loco Pilot will fall in 'C' category posts. In Railway, the categories A & B are officer category & C & D category are laborer/ workers category. |
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Skills Required to Become a Loco Pilot in India
The following list shows the skills required to become a loco pilot are as follows-
- Loco pilots must work for extended periods of time and therefore physical strength is essential.
- Mechanical or scientific activities in information systems necessitate technical capabilities.
- The position necessitates a high level of response.
- Making quick and precise decisions.
- They must also be strong since they must transport machines.
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Top Colleges in India
The table below shows the top colleges in India with their NIRF ranking for 2024. Candidates can study engineering courses in these colleges:
Name of the University | Name of the City | NIRF Ranking 2024 |
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | 4 |
Indian Institute of Science Bangalore | Bengaluru | 2 |
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | New Delhi | 3 |
Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | 1 |
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | Kharagpur | 6 |
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | 5 |
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati | Guwahati | 7 |
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Roorkee | 8 |
University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 10 |
University of Delhi | New Delhi | 22 |
Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Working Surroundings for a Loco Pilot
Typically, a loco pilot operates aboard the train. They labor ten to twelve hours every day. A loco pilot must notify the company two hours before leaving work so that another loco pilot may join the train on time at the designated spot. Loco pilots also fly night shifts, making it difficult for them to maintain a work-life balance.
What Kind of Challenges Do Loco Pilots Face?
1. Long Working Hours
Jobs being highly demanding, most loco pilots are exposed to long working hours. For a train never waits for a clock, instead, it is always running, making a loco pilot to be on standby from morning up to night. Their shift can range from 8 to 12 hours as well as upwards in extreme cases. The locomotive cab has the propensity of causing long time spans. With little break time from work, one becomes bodily and mentally exhausted. Loco pilots do not have fixed working hours. One will have to become accustomed to irregular schedules, which makes it impossible to have a work-life balance.
2. Night Shifts
The train operates all throughout the day and night, thus the loco pilot works at any time during the day or night, weekends, and holidays. Working at night shifts affects the changes in circadian rhythm; therefore, it can be linked to problems like sleep deprivation, drowsiness, and low alertness. The long-term health effects of such forms of night shifts can include vulnerability to heart diseases, digestive disorders, and sleep disorders. Moreover, it would be very mentally challenging to remain awake and alert in night hours as there is low visibility and that one will pay full attention not to cause any accidents.
3. Stress and Responsibility
A loco pilot's job is extremely stressful, as he has the responsibility for hundreds of passengers, along with the smooth running of the train. He has to check and monitor several controls, signals, limits of speed, as well as track conditions, taking rapid decisions based on unexpected situations, such as technical failures, signal changes, or obstacles on the tracks. The concentration level required is very high, and the fear of mistakes creates a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. Moreover, any mistake or accident may prove very costly in terms of human losses as well as financial loss, thus making it a very stressful job. This stress may lead them to suffer long-term issues related to mental health.
All these challenges make the loco pilot job physiologically demanding, mentally taxing, and emotionally demanding as well; hence, it demands much from the individual to be dedicated, resilient, and adaptable.