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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Marine Chief Engineer in Kentucky is $119,253 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Marine Chief Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Marine Chief Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $126,688 | $10,557 | $2,436 | $61 |
| Average | $119,253 | $9,938 | $2,293 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,797 | $8,650 | $1,996 | $50 |
Marquette Transportation - Paducah, KY
Residence Inn Louisville - Louisville, KY
Residence Inn Lexington, 1080 Newtown Pike, Lexington 40511 - Lexington, KY
DoubleTree Suites By Hilton Lexington - Lexington, KY
A Marine Chief Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Marine Chief Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Digital P... Level Marine Chief Engineer | $81,862 |
| Digital P... Level Marine Chief Engineer | $98,024 |
| Marine Ch... Level Marine Chief Engineer | $122,473 |
| Digital P... Level Marine Chief Engineer | $95,124 |
| Digital P... Level Marine Chief Engineer | $123,848 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Marine Chief Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Marine Chief Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 52% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Marine Chief Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Marine Chief Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $149,066 | $72.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $137,141 | $66.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $137,141 | $66.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $133,563 | $64.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $131,178 | $63.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Marine Chief Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $126,688 | $10,557 | $2,436 | $61 |
| Average | $119,253 | $9,938 | $2,293 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,797 | $8,650 | $1,996 | $50 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Marine Chief Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SummitMedia LLC
Louisville, KY
SummitMedia LLC | Louisville, KY
Job Description. Job Description. SummitMedia LLC is seeking a Chief Engineer for our Louisville, KY market. Duties include installation, maintenance and r... more
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Columbus, KY
Ingram Barge Company | Columbus, KY
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. Ingram Marine Group is seeking an. Chief Engineer - Shore Based. in. Columbus, KY. . This position is re... more
4 Days Ago
GRW Engineers, Inc.
Lexington, KY
GRW Engineers, Inc. | Lexington, KY
Job Description. Job Description. Are you a motivated Mechanical Engineering graduate with a passion for innovation, sustainable design and environmental r... more
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Triple Crown Hospitality
Louisville, KY
Triple Crown Hospitality | Louisville, KY
Job Description. Job Description. We're looking for a courteous, detail-oriented maintenance engineer to provide our guests with a five-star experience. Yo... more
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CalPortland
SEATTLE, WA
CalPortland | SEATTLE, WA
Job Summary. The Terminal Manager is responsible for the daily operation of the cement terminals in accordance with established procedures and schedules. C... more
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Kaiser Permanente
COUNTRY PARK ACRES, NC
Kaiser Permanente | COUNTRY PARK ACRES, NC
Please note, this position is designated as flexible, which means the selected candidate may be required to report to the assigned office in Greensboro, NC... more
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