Locomotive Engineers Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$58,350
- 25th Percentile — Junior$83,210
- 50th Percentile — Median$89,290
- 75th Percentile — Senior$89,290
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$89,290
Half of Locomotive Engineers in South Carolina earn more than $89,290. The top 10% make $89,290 or more, while entry-level workers start around $58,350.
Locomotive Engineers in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 19th of 35 states for Locomotive Engineers pay, at $83,100 per year (3.3% below the U.S. average of $85,900).
- 380 people work as Locomotive Engineers in South Carolina — 1.1% of all U.S. Locomotive Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.77: Locomotive Engineers jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,350; the top 10% earn over $89,290.
- Hourly equivalent: $39.95 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Mississippi at $125,980.
- Among transportation jobs in South Carolina, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($150,970).
Locomotive Engineers Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Locomotive Engineers here earn $83,100 on average, placing the state 19th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $83,100 is roughly equivalent to $94,432 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($85,470), Virginia ($85,310), Wyoming ($84,680) are the closest alternatives for Locomotive Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $150,970/yr South Carolina +81.7% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $110,990/yr South Carolina +33.6% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $108,640/yr South Carolina +30.7% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $84,170/yr South Carolina +1.3% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $70,300/yr South Carolina 15.4% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $55,680/yr South Carolina 33.0% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $45,010/yr South Carolina 45.8% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $41,510/yr South Carolina 50.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Locomotive Engineers salary in South Carolina?
The average Locomotive Engineers salary in South Carolina is $83,100 per year (median $89,290), which is 3.3% below the national average of $85,900.
How does South Carolina rank for Locomotive Engineers pay?
South Carolina ranks 19th out of 35 states. The highest-paying state is Mississippi ($125,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Locomotive Engineers make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Locomotive Engineers in South Carolina earn about $58,350 per year and the 25th percentile is $83,210.
How much do Locomotive Engineers make per hour in South Carolina?
About $39.95 per hour, based on the $83,100 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Locomotive Engineers work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 380 Locomotive Engineers jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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