BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina

$61,880 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$29.75 per hour

▼ 28.0% below U.S. average35th of 35 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$61,880per year
Median$61,190per year
Hourly$29.75per hour
10th – 90th percentile$59,580 – $70,240per year

Locomotive Engineers Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$59,580
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$61,160
  • 50th Percentile — Median$61,190
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$61,190
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$70,240

Half of Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina earn more than $61,190. The top 10% make $70,240 or more, while entry-level workers start around $59,580.

Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 35th of 35 states for Locomotive Engineers pay, at $61,880 per year (28.0% below the U.S. average of $85,900).
  • 340 people work as Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina — 1.0% of all U.S. Locomotive Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.32: Locomotive Engineers jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $59,580; the top 10% earn over $70,240.
  • Hourly equivalent: $29.75 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Mississippi at $125,980.
  • Among transportation jobs in North Carolina, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($148,500).

Locomotive Engineers Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Locomotive Engineers here earn $61,880 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $61,880 is roughly equivalent to $68,000 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, West Virginia ($67,970), New Hampshire ($66,920), Ohio ($66,350) are the closest alternatives for Locomotive Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Locomotive Engineers salary in North Carolina?

The average Locomotive Engineers salary in North Carolina is $61,880 per year (median $61,190), which is 28.0% below the national average of $85,900.

How does North Carolina rank for Locomotive Engineers pay?

North Carolina ranks 35th out of 35 states. The highest-paying state is Mississippi ($125,980/yr).

How much do entry-level Locomotive Engineers make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina earn about $59,580 per year and the 25th percentile is $61,160.

How much do Locomotive Engineers make per hour in North Carolina?

About $29.75 per hour, based on the $61,880 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Locomotive Engineers work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 340 Locomotive Engineers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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