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Ship Engineers Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Ship Engineers make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$97,660
Median Annual Salary
▼
-27.5% vs 2024
$117,530
Mean Salary
$97,660
Median Salary
$46.95
Hourly Rate
610 people work as Ship Engineers in California
Ship Engineers salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Ship Engineers in California earn a median salary of $97,660 per year ($8,138/month).
This is 7.1% below the national average of $105,135.
California ranks #16 out of 24 states for Ship Engineers pay.
Approximately 610 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries decreased by 27.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Ship Engineers
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Top Skills
Critical Thinking
3.88
Operations Monitoring
3.88
Operation and Control
3.88
Equipment Maintenance
3.75
Troubleshooting
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Mechanical
4.32
Administration and Management
3.4
English Language
3.37
Engineering and Technology
3.34
Transportation
3.29
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate
(49.8% of workers)
Salaries for Ship Engineers in California range from $80,820 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $169,280 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $84,620 and $157,070.
The median annual salary for Ship Engineers in California is $97,660 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $117,530.
What is the salary range for a Ship Engineers in California?
Salaries for Ship Engineers in California range from $80,820 at the 10th percentile to $169,280 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $84,620 and $157,070.
What is the starting salary for a Ship Engineers in California?
Entry-level Ship Engineers positions in California typically start around $80,820 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $84,620 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Ship Engineers in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 610 people are employed as Ship Engineers in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Ship Engineers in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Ship Engineers in California is approximately $46.95 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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