Locomotive Engineer salary in North Carolina
Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $61,190 a year ($29.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,240 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $81,410. North Carolina ranks 35th of 35 states for locomotive engineers pay. There are 0.07 locomotive engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $61,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for locomotive engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,580 | $28.64 |
| 25th percentile | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Median | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| 75th percentile | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,240 | $33.77 |
| Average (mean) | $61,880 | $29.75 |
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 | $5,099.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,549.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,353.46 |
| Weekly | $1,176.73 |
| Hourly | $29.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $54,810 | $26.35 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $44,670 | $21.48 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in North 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 North Carolina?
The median salary for locomotive engineers in North Carolina is $61,190 a year, or $29.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid locomotive engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of locomotive engineers in North Carolina earn at least $70,240 a year. The top 25% earn $61,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for locomotive engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,580 a year, and a quarter of locomotive engineers earn $61,160 or less.
How many locomotive engineers work in North Carolina?
About 340 locomotive engineers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.