Sailor and Marine Oiler Salary in Virginia Beach, VA
Sailors and Marine Oilers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median $48,210 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,959 take-home, or $3,247 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median sailor and marine oiler salary in Virginia Beach, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,605
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,989
- Medicare (1.45%)$699
- Virginia income tax$1,958
- Take-home pay$38,959
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
The Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro spans Virginia, North Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Sailor and Marine Oiler pay by experience in Virginia Beach, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,660 | $15.70 | $27,358 | $2,280 |
| 25th percentile | $42,000 | $20.19 | $34,326 | $2,861 |
| Median (50th) | $48,210 | $23.18 | $38,959 | $3,247 |
| 75th percentile | $57,930 | $27.85 | $46,210 | $3,851 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,650 | $29.16 | $48,239 | $4,020 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,210 buys in Virginia Beach, VA
Prices in Virginia Beach, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median sailor and marine oiler's $38,959 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,778 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Virginia Beach, VA has 18.2× the national concentration of sailor and marine oiler jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for sailors and marine oilers, adjusted for cost of living
Virginia Beach, VA ranks #2 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $55,610 | $46,863 | $47,514 |
| 2 | Virginia Beach, VA | $48,210 | $38,959 | $39,778 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: sailors and marine oilers
Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.2% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sailor and marine oiler make in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median sailor and marine oiler salary in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $48,210 a year, or about $23.18 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $42,000 and $57,930.
What is a sailor and marine oiler’s take-home pay in Virginia Beach, VA?
On the median $48,210 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $38,959 a year ($3,247 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,958 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a sailor and marine oiler?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $51,520. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,778 would in a typical U.S. city. Virginia Beach, VA ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a sailor and marine oiler afford rent in Virginia Beach, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Virginia Beach, VA is $1,508 a month ($1,708 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median sailor and marine oiler’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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