Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Locomotive Engineers salary really buy you in North Carolina?
North Carolina is 5.8% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
North Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 94.2, meaning prices are 5.8% lower the national average. A Locomotive Engineers earning $61,190 in North Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $64,957 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $59,580 | $63,248 | +$3,668 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $61,160 | $64,925 | +$3,765 |
| Median (P50) | $61,190 | $64,957 | +$3,767 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $61,190 | $64,957 | +$3,767 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $70,240 | $74,564 | +$4,324 |
A Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina earns $61,190 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 6% further — like earning $64,957 in an average-cost state. This makes North Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.
With an RPP of 94.2, North Carolina is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Locomotive Engineers is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.
After applying North Carolina's RPP, the $61,190 median salary translates to $64,958 in real terms — a 6.2% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Locomotive Engineers.
North Carolina ranks #35 of 35 — bottom quartile for Locomotive Engineers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Locomotive Engineers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
North Carolina ranks #35 out of 35 states for Locomotive Engineers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Locomotive Engineers take-home pay in North Carolina after taxes →
A Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina earns a median salary of $61,190 per year. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (RPP=94.2), the real purchasing power is $64,957 — a +6.2% difference.
North Carolina's cost of living is 5.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for North Carolina is 94.2 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina: $61,190 x (100 / 94.2) = $64,957. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Locomotive Engineers in North Carolina enjoys 6.2% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.