📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Locomotive Engineer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$72,327
per year
Median
$69,415
per year
Hourly
$34.77
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,585
25th Percentile — Junior$59,906
50th Percentile — Median$69,415
75th Percentile — Senior$85,376
90th Percentile — Top Earners$94,168
💡 Top-earning Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina make up to $94,168 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$65.5k
2021
$66.8k
2022
$68.2k
2023
$69.5k
2024
$70.9k
2025
$72.3k
2026
📈 Locomotive Engineer salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 2.0% annual growth. The strong presence in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Locomotive Engineer Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $69,434 -4.0% Medium
Raleigh $70,880 -2.0% Medium
Greensboro $65,094 -10.0% Medium
Durham $70,157 -3.0% Medium
Winston-Salem $62,924 -13.0% Medium
🔍
Locomotive Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Locomotive Engineers. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $72,327 per year, North Carolina's Locomotive Engineer salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $48,585–$59,906, while experienced Locomotive Engineers can command $85,376–$94,168.

Looking ahead, the Locomotive Engineer profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 2.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Locomotive Engineer salary in North Carolina is $72,327 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $79,480.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Locomotive Engineers the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Locomotive Engineer employment.
  • At $72,327/year, North Carolina Locomotive Engineer salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $79,480/year.