📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Locomotive Engineer Salary in South Carolina (2026)

South Carolina · 12.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$69,942
per year
Median
$67,126
per year
Hourly
$33.63
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$46,983
25th Percentile — Junior$57,930
50th Percentile — Median$67,126
75th Percentile — Senior$82,561
90th Percentile — Top Earners$91,063
💡 Top-earning Locomotive Engineers in South Carolina make up to $91,063 per year. The job market in South Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$63.3k
2021
$64.6k
2022
$65.9k
2023
$67.2k
2024
$68.6k
2025
$69.9k
2026
📈 Locomotive Engineer salaries in South Carolina have followed the national trend with 2.0% annual growth. The strong presence in South Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Locomotive Engineer Salary by City in South Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Statewide Average $69,942 +0% Medium
🔍
Locomotive Engineer Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

South Carolina is home to a strong job market for Locomotive Engineers. The state's key industries — Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $69,942 per year, South Carolina's Locomotive Engineer salaries are 12.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in South Carolina (index: 0.88) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in South Carolina can expect to earn $46,983–$57,930, while experienced Locomotive Engineers can command $82,561–$91,063.

Looking ahead, the Locomotive Engineer profession in South Carolina is projected to grow at 2.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Automotive 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 South Carolina is $69,942 per year in 2026, which is 12.0% below the national average of $79,480.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Locomotive Engineers the highest wages in South Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • South Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing. This makes it one of the better states for Locomotive Engineer employment.
  • At $69,942/year, South Carolina Locomotive Engineer salaries are 12.0% lower than the national average of $79,480/year.