Are you preparing for the RRB ALP exam and often wonder, “What is the salary of Loco Pilot?”. The salary of an Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) starts at INR 19,900 per month. An ALP also receives several allowances, which bump the in-hand monthly salary up to INR 35,000.
In 2024-25, India emerged as a global leader in railway Locomotive manufacturing. This strong upward trajectory suggests the rising demand for Loco Pilots in India.
Before you start preparing for the RRB ALP exam, you should be aware of the Loco Pilot salary in India. This article will answer all that you need to know about the railway Loco Pilot salary in India.
What is the Assistant Loco Pilot Starting Salary?
An Assistant Loco Pilot salary in India is INR 19,900. In addition to this basic pay, an ALP is also entitled to several other allowances. An ALP falls under Level 2 of the Pay Matrix introduced by the 7th Pay Commission.
Let’s have a look at the breakdown of the salary of an Assistant Loco Pilot in India.
| RRB ALP Salary Component | Amount |
| Basic Pay | INR 19,900 |
| Dearness Allowance | INR 10,752 per month |
| House Rent Allowance (City Dependent) | INR 5,970 – INR 1,990 |
| Transportation Allowance | INR 1350 – INR 900 (approx. amount) |
| Govt. Contribution to the National Pension System | INR 4262 |
| NPS | INR 3045 (deducted) |
| Central Govt. Health Scheme | INR 250 (deducted) |
| Central Govt. Employees’ Group Insurance Scheme | INR 30 (deducted) |
| Total Deduction | INR 7500 (approx. amount) |
| In-hand Salary | INR 30,012 – INR 34,442 |
However, various other factors can affect the railway Loco Pilot salary per month in India.
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Factors Influencing the Loco Pilot Salary in India
Railway Loco Pilot salary is determined by various factors such as the rank, their allowances, the location of their operation, their years of service, and the railway zone or organisation under which they serve.
Additionally, the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission has increased the salary of an RRB Loco Pilot, thereby making an impact on their overall income. Let us review the various factors determining the Loco Pilot salary per month in India.
- Rank of the Loco Pilot: As discussed earlier, an ALP receives a basic pay of INR 19,900 per month, whereas a Senior Loco Pilot (Mail) or a Chief Loco Inspector earns INR 78,000 basic pay.
- Allowances Offered to the Pilot: A Loco Pilot is entitled to several allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport allowance (TA), Night Duty Allowance, etc, which significantly impact their monthly in-hand income.
- Impact of the 7th Pay Commission: The Commission recommended increasing the DA by nearly 17% to adjust for inflation. Similar changes were also applied to HRA according to the new pay matrix.
- Location/City of Operation: The HRA offered to the Loco Pilots varies according to the class of the city in which they are based.
| City Classification | HRA Provided |
| Class X (Metro cities) | 27% of basic pay. |
| Class Y (Tier-2 cities) | 18% of basic pay. |
| Class Z (Small towns) | 9% of basic pay. |
- Experience of the Loco Pilot: As the Loco Officers gain more experience and climb up the hierarchy ladder, they receive a higher basic pay and better allowances to reflect their post.
- Organization of the Loco Pilot: The Loco Pilot salary per month also depends on the organization they are working for. Generally, government organisations offer better salary structures and job security than private organisations.
Loco Pilot Salary: Based on the Rank
The railway Loco Pilot salary is determined by the post they are filling. For details regarding the basic pay of a Loco Pilot in accordance with their post, check the table below:
| Post | Loco Pilot Salary Per Month |
| Assistant Loco Pilot | INR 19,900 – INR 35,000 |
| Shunting Loco Pilot | INR 28,000 – INR 38,000 |
| Loco Pilot (Mail) | INR 60,000 – INR 78, 000 |
| Loco Pilot (Goods) | INR 40,000 – INR 56,000 |
| Loco Pilot (Passenger) | INR 50,000 – INR 66,000 |
| Loco Pilot (High Speed) | INR 77,000 – INR 88,000 |
| Senior Section Engineer | INR 17,140 |
| Traffic Apprentice | INR 13,500 |
| Technician Grade 2 | INR 9,910 |
| Technician Grade 3 | INR 7,730 |
Loco Pilot Salary: Based on the Allowances
The salary of a Loco Pilot per month greatly varies according to the allowances they receive. Further, the exact allowances depend on various factors such as location, specific duties, and the 7th Pay Commission.
Check the table below for the average allowances paid to an Assistant Loco Pilot:
| Allowances Provided | Assistant Loco Pilot |
| Dearness Allowance | INR 10,752 per month |
| House Rent Allowance (City Dependent) | INR 5,970 – INR 1,990 |
| Travelling Allowance | INR 828 per month |
| Running Allowance | INR 6050 per month |
| Night Duty Allowance | INR 387 per month |
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Loco Pilot Salary: Based on Location
The salary of a Loco Pilot per month also differs according to the location they are operating in. For more details, check the table below:
| City | HRA Provided to an ALP |
| Kolkata | 27% of Basic Pay |
| Mumbai | 27% of Basic Pay |
| Visakhapatnam | 18% of Basic Pay |
| Bhubaneswar | 18% of Basic Pay |
| Mathura | 9% of Basic Pay |
Loco Pilot Salary: After 7th Pay Commission
Railway Loco Pilot salary was significantly enhanced after the changes introduced by the 7th Pay Commission. Check the table below for the Loco Pilot Salary before and after the 7th Pay Commission:
| Post | Basic Pay Before the 7th Pay Commission | Basic Pay After 7th Pay Commission |
| Assistant Loco Pilot | INR 13,000 | INR 19,900 |
| Loco Pilot (Mail) | INR 45,000 | INR 60,000 |
| Loco Pilot (Goods) | INR 22,000 | INR 40,000 |
| Loco Pilot (Passenger) | INR 15,000 | INR 50,000 |
Loco Pilot Salary: Based on Experience
The salary received by a Loco Pilot increases as they gain more experience. Loco Pilot salary after 5 years could be as high as INR 28,700 per month. Check the table below for details regarding Loco Pilot salary per month, according to their experience:
| Experience in Years | Probable Post | Expected Basic Pay |
| 0–1 years | Assistant Loco Pilot | INR 19,900 |
| 5 years | Senior ALP / Shunting Loco Pilot | INR 28,700 |
| 10+ years | Loco Pilot (Goods) | INR 42,300 |
| 20+ years | Loco Pilot (Passenger / Mail) | INR 58,600 |
| 30+ years | Senior Loco Pilot (Mail) / Chief Loco Inspector | INR 78,800 |
Loco Pilot Salary: Based on Organization
Railway Loco Pilot salary also varies according to the organisation they work for. These professionals receive running allowances as per the kilometres that they travel. Consequently, a pilot who frequently drives along the high-density routes or covers more kilometres will receive a greater allowance.
For instance, the Delhi Metro Loco Pilot salary varies significantly from that of a pilot who works under Indian Railways. Check the table below to know about the salary of Loco Pilots working under different organisations:
| Organisation | Average Annual Salary |
| Indian Railways | INR 3.6 LPA – INR 4.2 LPA |
| Delhi Metro Railway Corporation | INR 3.7 LPA- INR 4.7 LPA |
| Hyderabad Metro Rail | INR 2.8 LPA -INR 5.3 LPA |
| Rites Limited | INR 2.6 LPA – INR 4.3 LPA |
| Gangavaram Port | INR 2.4 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
Note: The above salary figures may vary depending on various factors.
Perks and Benefits Enjoyed by a Loco Pilot
A Loco Pilot is entitled to several perks and benefits throughout their professional journey. Even an Assistant Loco Pilot enjoys various attractive allowances. In addition to the allowances that we have already discussed, let us now review the perks enjoyed by Loco Pilots in India.
- Free Health Facilities: Loco Pilots and their family get free health services at the Empanelled Hospitals of Indian Railways.
- Free Railways Tickets: Loco Pilots and their family members are entitled to free railway passes on specified routes.
- Leaves: Loco Pilots are allowed 30 days of earned leave, 30 days of medical leave, and 12 days of casual leave in a year.
- Overtime Pay: Loco Pilots are also entitled to compensation for working additional hours.
- Gratuity & Pension: Upon retirement, a Loco Pilot is awarded with gratuity for their service and receives a pension as well.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the job of a Loco Pilot is in high demand as of 2025, and many candidates aspire to crack the exam to become an Assistant Loco Pilot. The lucrative salary, attractive benefits, and the growth that can be achieved are what make this profession highly sought after. With subsequent promotion, a Loco Pilot can earn more than INR 1 Lakh per month.
The salary of a Loco Pilot in Indian Railways suggests the importance they hold in the development of the Indian Economy. Significant changes in the salary structure of the Loco Pilot brought in by the 7th Pay Commission show that even the government has noted their importance.
This recognition also affirms the job security of this profession and underlines the existing competition among the aspiring candidates.
Thus, if you intend to take the RRB exam, we hope that the information about Loco Pilot salary will assist you in determining whether you are a good fit for this profession.
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FAQs
Ans: Yes, a Senior Loco Pilot or a Chief Loco Inspector receives a basic pay of INR 78,800. This means that their in-hand monthly salary is nearly INR 1 Lakh per month. Pilots who live in Metro cities can expect a monthly salary of more than INR 1 Lakh.
Ans: Senior Loco Pilot salary is INR 28,700 as basic pay. However, in-hand monthly salary could vary depending on multiple factors.
Ans: The highest monthly salary of a Loco Pilot in Indian Railways could easily exceed INR 1 Lakh, depending on their rank and other factors influencing their allowances.
