Ship Engineer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Ship Engineers Make?
Ship Engineers earn a median annual salary of $101,320 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $56,620 at the 10th percentile to $162,370 at the 90th percentile — a range of $105,750. The highest-paying state is Maryland at $170,630.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,620 |
| 25th percentile | $71,720 |
| Median (50th) | $101,320 |
| 75th percentile | $130,380 |
| 90th percentile | $162,370 |
Ship Engineer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Marylandtop | $170,630 |
| Massachusetts | $136,260 |
| California | $134,660 |
| New York | $131,650 |
| Rhode Island | $123,700 |
| Texas | $122,150 |
| New Jersey | $117,090 |
| Illinois | $111,800 |
| Florida | $110,730 |
| Hawaii | $110,240 |
| Kentucky | $101,700 |
| Tennessee | $101,230 |
| Indiana | $100,000 |
| South Carolina | $99,670 |
| Washington | $96,390 |
| Louisiana | $94,580 |
| Mississippi | $92,150 |
| Oregon | $87,230 |
| Virginia | $81,970 |
| Alaska | $80,180 |
| Alabama | $79,240 |
| Michigan | $71,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,290 |
| North Carolina | $61,050 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Ship Engineers
Ship Engineer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$56,620 – $71,720 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$101,320 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$130,380 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $162,370+ |
How to Earn More as a Ship Engineer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Ship Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $143,600 — $42,280 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($130,380) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Ship Engineer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Ship Engineerthis career | $101,320 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architect | $105,670 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technician | $79,830 |
| Construction Equipment Operator | $58,710 |
| Avionics Technician | $81,390 |
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SOC: 53-5031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.