Ship Engineer Salary
Ship Engineers earn a median $109,530 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What ship engineers do
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.7% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 900
Employment of ship engineers is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Ship Engineer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,267
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,791
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,588
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$85,884
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,870 | $27.82 | $48,679 |
| 25th percentile | $82,130 | $39.49 | $66,608 |
| Median (50th) | $109,530 | $52.66 | $85,884 |
| 75th percentile | $135,760 | $65.27 | $104,058 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,490 | $79.56 | $124,378 |
Ship Engineer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $133,640 | +1.5% | $95,764 | $65,040 – $174,260 | 550 |
| Hawaii | $131,640 | +19.4% | $92,764 | $93,650 – $194,880 | 70 |
| Florida | $130,480 | +17.8% | $100,449 | $77,970 – $149,920 | 1,260 |
| Texas | $127,810 | +4.6% | $98,624 | $93,560 – $150,460 | 660 |
| Massachusetts | $122,720 | −9.9% | $89,229 | $81,580 – $150,830 | 150 |
| Indiana | $122,190 | +22.2% | $91,208 | $50,040 – $165,440 | 210 |
| Kentucky | $120,550 | +18.5% | $89,535 | $81,040 – $121,880 | — |
| Rhode Island | $119,330 | −3.5% | $88,712 | $76,120 – $159,990 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $119,010 | — | $87,563 | $53,690 – $140,320 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $118,310 | +1.0% | $86,715 | $87,310 – $150,600 | 170 |
| Illinois | $115,310 | +3.1% | $84,388 | $52,870 – $136,310 | 110 |
| Washington | $107,940 | +12.0% | $84,766 | $61,530 – $157,340 | 730 |
| Louisiana | $103,430 | +9.4% | $78,876 | $59,100 – $239,200+ | 610 |
| Mississippi | $98,380 | +6.8% | $74,837 | $75,730 – $129,880 | 140 |
| South Carolina | $97,890 | −1.8% | $72,979 | $61,610 – $114,860 | 80 |
| California | $97,660 | −27.5% | $71,411 | $80,820 – $169,280 | 610 |
| Alabama | $96,030 | +21.2% | $71,851 | $91,410 – $114,490 | 50 |
| Oregon | $88,800 | +1.8% | $64,360 | $57,180 – $168,360 | 80 |
| Alaska | $88,190 | +10.0% | $70,872 | $40,240 – $145,930 | 420 |
| Virginia | $82,370 | +0.5% | $62,855 | $47,420 – $150,300 | 1,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,210 | +24.8% | $62,795 | $63,990 – $126,510 | 90 |
| Michigan | $79,170 | +11.1% | $61,412 | $34,050 – $116,790 | 100 |
| Maine | $77,160 | — | $59,085 | $60,280 – $101,790 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $65,010 | +6.5% | $52,330 | $62,360 – $96,940 | 90 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $92,460 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.0% |
| Sailor and Marine Oiler | $51,520 | No formal educational credential | +3.2% |
| Motorboat Operator | $47,520 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.9% |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.2% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.5% |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator | $77,320 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.1% |
| Air Traffic Controller | $148,080 | Associate's degree | +1.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ship engineer make?
The national median salary for ship engineers is $109,530 a year ($52.66 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,870 and the top 10% earn over $165,490. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays ship engineers the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $133,640.
How many ship engineers are there in the U.S.?
About 8,400 people work as ship engineers nationwide.