Locomotive Engineer salary in South Carolina
Locomotive Engineers in South Carolina earn a median of $89,290 a year ($42.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,290 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $81,410. South Carolina ranks 14th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.17 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $83,100, close to the median.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,350 | $28.05 |
| 25th percentile | $83,210 | $40.01 |
| Median | $89,290 | $42.93 |
| 75th percentile | $89,290 | $42.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,290 | $42.93 |
| Average (mean) | $83,100 | $39.95 |
Half of locomotive engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,440.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,720.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,434.23 |
| Weekly | $1,717.12 |
| Hourly | $42.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for locomotive engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $109,220 |
| Massachusetts | $108,790 |
| Mississippi | $96,710 |
| Minnesota | $93,700 |
| Illinois | $93,320 |
| Indiana | $92,790 |
| Florida | $92,310 |
| Oklahoma | $91,970 |
| Virginia | $90,780 |
| Montana | $90,220 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $73,660 | $35.42 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,490 | $15.14 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locomotive engineer make in South Carolina?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in South Carolina is $89,290 a year, or $42.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in South Carolina earn at least $89,290 a year. The top 25% earn $89,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,350 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $83,210 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in South Carolina?
About 380 locomotive engineers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.