South Carolina Median
$89,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $81,410
State Rank
#14 of 35
380 employed here
How much does a Locomotive Engineer make in South Carolina?
Locomotive Engineers in South Carolina take home a median of $89,290 annually — roughly $42.93 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $81,410.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $58,350 while the top 10% make $89,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $83,210 and $89,290 a year.
Locomotive Engineer salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,350 | $28.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $83,210 | $40.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,290 | $42.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $89,290 | $42.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,290 | $42.93 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 14th out of 35 states and territories for Locomotive Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Locomotive Engineer salary in other states
New York $109,220Massachusetts $108,790Mississippi $96,710Minnesota $93,700Illinois $93,320Indiana $92,790Florida $92,310Oklahoma $91,970Virginia $90,780Montana $90,220Iowa $89,970Arizona $89,840Colorado $89,360New Mexico $88,330New Jersey $86,550Wisconsin $84,550Pennsylvania $82,460Tennessee $81,410Oregon $79,130Texas $79,000Arkansas $78,930Wyoming $78,910Missouri $78,820Kentucky $77,620Alabama $77,600California $77,070Kansas $75,190Washington $73,750New Hampshire $70,670South Dakota $69,180West Virginia $64,400Louisiana $64,200Ohio $63,280North Carolina $61,190
Working as a Locomotive Engineer in South Carolina
Nationally, about 33,000 people work as Locomotive Engineers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($89,290) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Locomotive Engineer make in South Carolina?
The median Locomotive Engineer salary in South Carolina is $89,290 per year, or about $42.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,350 at the entry level to $89,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Locomotive Engineers about 10% more than the national median of $81,410. South Carolina ranks 14th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Locomotive Engineers?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $89,290 a year. About 380 Locomotive Engineers are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Locomotive Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.