Ship Engineers Salary by State
The national median pay for ship engineers is $109,530 a year. By state, it ranges from $65,010 in North Carolina to $133,640 in New York.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $57,870
- 25th percentile
- $82,130
- Median
- $109,530
- 75th percentile
- $135,760
- Top 10%
- $165,490
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 8,400 jobs.
Median pay in 24 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $133,640 | +22% | $65,040 | $174,260 | 550 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $131,640 | +20% | $93,650 | $194,880 | 70 |
| 3 | Florida | $130,480 | +19% | $77,970 | $149,920 | 1,260 |
| 4 | Texas | $127,810 | +17% | $93,560 | $150,460 | 660 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $122,720 | +12% | $81,580 | $150,830 | 150 |
| 6 | Indiana | $122,190 | +12% | $50,040 | $165,440 | 210 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $120,550 | +10% | $81,040 | $121,880 | Not published |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $119,330 | +9% | $76,120 | $159,990 | 50 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $119,010 | +9% | $53,690 | $140,320 | 50 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $118,310 | +8% | $87,310 | $150,600 | 170 |
| 11 | Illinois | $115,310 | +5% | $52,870 | $136,310 | 110 |
| 12 | Washington | $107,940 | −1% | $61,530 | $157,340 | 730 |
| 13 | Louisiana | $103,430 | −6% | $59,100 | $244,020 | 610 |
| 14 | Mississippi | $98,380 | −10% | $75,730 | $129,880 | 140 |
| 15 | South Carolina | $97,890 | −11% | $61,610 | $114,860 | 80 |
| 16 | California | $97,660 | −11% | $80,820 | $169,280 | 610 |
| 17 | Alabama | $96,030 | −12% | $91,410 | $114,490 | 50 |
| 18 | Oregon | $88,800 | −19% | $57,180 | $168,360 | 80 |
| 19 | Alaska | $88,190 | −19% | $40,240 | $145,930 | 420 |
| 20 | Virginia | $82,370 | −25% | $47,420 | $150,300 | 1,450 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $80,210 | −27% | $63,990 | $126,510 | 90 |
| 22 | Michigan | $79,170 | −28% | $34,050 | $116,790 | 100 |
| 23 | Maine | $77,160 | −30% | $60,280 | $101,790 | 30 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $65,010 | −41% | $62,360 | $96,940 | 90 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Ship Engineers salary questions
Which state pays ship engineers the most?
New York, with a median of $133,640 a year (+22% vs. the national median of $109,530). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays ship engineers the least?
North Carolina, with a median of $65,010 a year (−41% vs. national).
Where do most ship engineers work?
Virginia has the most jobs, about 1,450, with a median of $82,370.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.