What are the main factors that influence a Ship Builder's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Ship Builder's salary?

A Ship Builder's salary grows with experience: an Accounts Payable Clerk I (0-1 years)earns $45,256, an Ship Builder (1-3 years)earns $50,597, an Accounts Payable Clerk III (3-5 years)earns $56,085, an Accounts Payable Supervisor (5+ years)earns $73,683, an Accounts Payable Senior Supervisor (5+ years)earns $90,139,

What are the highest paying states for a Ship Builder?

Ship Builder salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Ship Builder roles are District of Columbia $55,033, California $54,825, Massachusetts $54,094. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Ship Builder roles make?

Salaries for Ship Builder level roles vary by specialization: Ship Captain: $130,407; Ship Officer: $77,130; Ship Operator: $72,750; Ship Engineer: $65,140; Ship Superintendent: $62,245.

How do different companies affect a Ship Builder's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for Ship Builder roles. Large, established industry leaders like C R Bard Inc ($128,509) and Henry Schein Canada ($124,697) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $82,041.

Ship Builder Salary in the United States

How much does a Ship Builder make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Ship Builder in the United States is $49,705 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

However, a Ship Builder's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,897
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,423 to $53,470
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,524

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Ship Builder Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$53,470	$4,456	$1,028	$26
Average	$49,705	$4,142	$956	$24
25th Percentile	$45,423	$3,785	$874	$22

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Key Factors That Influence Ship Builder Salaries

A Ship Builder'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Ship Builder Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Ship Builder'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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $45,256
Early Career (1-2 years): $50,597
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,085
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $73,683
Expert (over 8 years): $90,139

Levels	Salary
Accounts ... Level Ship Builder	$45,256
Ship Buil... Level Ship Builder	$50,597
Accounts ... Level Ship Builder	$56,085
Accounts ... Level Ship Builder	$73,683
Accounts ... Level Ship Builder	$90,139

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Ship Builder Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Ship Builders. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $55,033.
California: $54,825.
Massachusetts: $54,094.

District of Columbia $55,033 California $54,825 Massachusetts $54,094 Washington $53,895 New Jersey $53,875 Alaska $53,806 Connecticut $53,120 New York $52,841

Hawaii $51,952 Rhode Island $51,534 Maryland $51,251 Minnesota $50,863 Colorado $50,714 Illinois $50,664 Oregon $50,476 Delaware $50,336

New Hampshire $50,249 Virginia $50,053 Pennsylvania $49,481 Nevada $49,193 North Dakota $49,099 Michigan $48,950 Wisconsin $48,895 Vermont $48,786

Texas $48,482 Maine $48,462 Arizona $48,433 Ohio $48,398 Georgia $47,941 Indiana $47,712 Wyoming $47,667 Utah $47,598

Iowa $47,568 Kansas $47,329 Louisiana $47,260 North Carolina $47,235 Missouri $47,225 Florida $47,031 Montana $46,927 Nebraska $46,827

Kentucky $46,772 South Carolina $46,574 Tennessee $46,449 Idaho $46,400 New Mexico $46,037 Oklahoma $45,957 Alabama $45,664 South Dakota $45,172

Arkansas $44,904 West Virginia $44,759 Mississippi $44,327

Top Paying Cities for Ship Builders

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:

San Jose: $62,693
San Francisco: $62,007
Oakland: $60,700

San Jose, CA $62,693

San Francisco, CA $62,007

Oakland, CA $60,700

New York, NY $57,230

Paramus, NJ $56,534

Queens Village, NY $56,532

Passaic, NJ $56,484

Bergenfield, NJ $56,480

Stamford, CT $56,371

Huntington, NY $56,350

Newark, NJ $55,983

Bridgeport, CT $55,878

Vallejo, CA $55,779

New Brunswick, NJ $55,759

Petaluma, CA $55,729

Middlesex, NJ $55,635

Somerset, NJ $55,600

Santa Cruz, CA $55,536

Boston, MA $55,232

Monterey, CA $55,058

Seattle, WA $54,944

Santa Rosa, CA $54,934

Los Angeles, CA $54,919

Juneau, AK $54,790

Washington, DC $54,735

Orange, CA $54,558

Santa Ana, CA $54,427

Long Beach, CA $54,377

Anaheim, CA $54,367

Anchorage, AK $54,343

Santa Maria, CA $54,193

Everett, WA $54,184

Danbury, CT $54,009

Bremerton, WA $53,940

Tacoma, WA $53,761

New Suffolk, NY $53,760

Sacramento, CA $53,746

Santa Barbara, CA $53,691

Trenton, NJ $53,637

San Diego, CA $53,637

Brockton, MA $53,582

Fairbanks, AK $53,460

Lompoc, CA $53,334

Lowell, MA $53,293

Ventura, CA $53,284

Nashua, NH $53,274

Stockton, CA $53,269

Modesto, CA $52,906

Poughkeepsie, NY $52,797

Olympia, WA $52,702

Kennewick, WA $52,702

New Haven, CT $52,682

Lawrence, MA $52,503

Hartford, CT $52,454

Riverside, CA $52,444

New Bedford, MA $52,394

Richland, WA $52,394

Bakersfield, CA $52,325

San Bernardino, CA $52,305

New Britain, CT $52,300

Atlantic City, NJ $52,300

New London, CT $52,280

Norwich, CT $52,265

Portsmouth, NH $52,255

Boulder, CO $52,150

Portland, OR $52,081

Worcester, MA $52,076

Minneapolis, MN $51,922

Philadelphia, PA $51,852

Honolulu, HI $51,688

Saint Paul, MN $51,664

Vineland, NJ $51,654

Providence, RI $51,509

Chicago, IL $51,365

Bellingham, WA $51,306

Springfield, MA $51,266

Baltimore, MD $51,251

Chico, CA $51,127

Pittsfield, MA $50,992

Manchester, NH $50,898

Spokane, WA $50,679

Denver, CO $50,674

Albany, NY $50,441

Troy, NY $50,421

Nassau, NY $50,368

Schenectady, NY $50,316

Wilmington, DE $50,277

Burlington, VT $50,207

Salem, OR $50,187

Portland, ME $50,033

Yakima, WA $49,983

Rochester, MN $49,829

Reno, NV $49,805

Fresno, CA $49,805

Milwaukee, WI $49,760

Detroit, MI $49,710

Ann Arbor, MI $49,702

Allentown, PA $49,695

Colorado Springs, CO $49,611

Syracuse, NY $49,586

Carson City, NV $49,586

Houston, TX $49,516

Eugene, OR $49,491

Gary, IN $49,432

Springfield, OR $49,392

Bismarck, ND $49,382

Galveston, TX $49,347

Medford, OR $49,273

Fort Collins, CO $49,253

Concord, NH $49,228

Austin, TX $49,213

Mesa, AZ $49,109

Reading, PA $49,104

Phoenix, AZ $49,099

Dallas, TX $49,084

Saint Cloud, MN $49,036

Madison, WI $48,969

Utica, NY $48,835

Rochester, NY $48,756

Des Moines, IA $48,751

Raleigh, NC $48,746

Atlanta, GA $48,671

Battle Creek, MI $48,656

Salt Lake City, UT $48,641

Lancaster, PA $48,567

Harrisburg, PA $48,497

Kansas City, MO $48,448

Champaign, IL $48,438

Kansas City, KS $48,438

Fort Worth, TX $48,433

Columbus, OH $48,424

Boca Raton, FL $48,413

Pittsburgh, PA $48,393

Richmond, VA $48,373

Indianapolis, IN $48,363

Cleveland, OH $48,358

Las Vegas, NV $48,298

Cincinnati, OH $48,298

Petersburg, VA $48,224

Huntsville, AL $48,149

Lansing, MI $48,116

Lebanon, PA $48,110

Pueblo, CO $48,105

Appleton, WI $48,090

Buffalo, NY $48,070

Dayton, OH $48,055

Racine, WI $48,045

Charlotte, NC $48,040

Saint Louis, MO $48,025

York, PA $47,995

Elkhart, IN $47,995

Gastonia, NC $47,986

Billings, MT $47,974

Beaumont, TX $47,960

Lorain, OH $47,951

Benton Harbor, MI $47,941

Toledo, OH $47,931

Binghamton, NY $47,906

Rock Hill, SC $47,901

Rockford, IL $47,876

Springfield, IL $47,856

Elyria, OH $47,851

Fargo, ND $47,851

Flagstaff, AZ $47,816

Fort Lauderdale, FL $47,786

Duluth, MN $47,757

Miami, FL $47,757

Cheyenne, WY $47,722

Grand Forks, ND $47,722

Bangor, ME $47,613

Cedar Rapids, IA $47,558

Durham, NC $47,537

Louisville, KY $47,533

Grand Rapids, MI $47,523

Hialeah, FL $47,518

Casper, WY $47,448

Scranton, PA $47,389

New Orleans, LA $47,374

Virginia Beach, VA $47,369

Akron, OH $47,344

Peoria, IL $47,279

Sarasota, FL $47,270

Nashville, TN $47,235

Omaha, NE $47,235

Green Bay, WI $47,235

Baton Rouge, LA $47,210

Charleston, SC $47,200

Jamestown, NY $47,175

Davenport, IA $47,175

Tucson, AZ $47,150

Saint Petersburg, FL $47,120

Tampa, FL $47,110

Evansville, IN $47,081

Port Arthur, TX $47,081

Bradenton, FL $47,061

Santa Fe, NM $46,971

Orlando, FL $46,882

Clearwater, FL $46,867

Canton, OH $46,763

La Crosse, WI $46,763

Albuquerque, NM $46,733

Newport News, VA $46,728

High Point, NC $46,713

Ogden, UT $46,693

Corpus Christi, TX $46,653

Norfolk, VA $46,623

Laramie, WY $46,623

Rock Island, IL $46,594

Saginaw, MI $46,584

Jacksonville, FL $46,579

Salisbury, NC $46,569

Boise, ID $46,559

Moline, IL $46,534

Fort Myers, FL $46,519

Memphis, TN $46,509

Tulsa, OK $46,484

Waterloo, IA $46,454

Spartanburg, SC $46,405

Lincoln, NE $46,380

Fort Wayne, IN $46,370

Provo, UT $46,365

Cedar Falls, IA $46,305

San Antonio, TX $46,285

Greensboro, NC $46,266

South Bend, IN $46,261

Savannah, GA $46,206

Muskegon, MI $46,186

Birmingham, AL $46,181

Winston Salem, NC $46,157

Lake Charles, LA $46,037

Anderson, IN $46,027

Lexington, KY $46,012

Augusta, GA $45,997

Greenville, SC $45,997

Lima, OH $45,957

Wichita, KS $45,952

Tuscaloosa, AL $45,952

Columbia, SC $45,908

Springfield, OH $45,898

Asheville, NC $45,818

Bloomington, IN $45,783

Knoxville, TN $45,604

Shreveport, LA $45,599

Wilmington, NC $45,535

Roanoke, VA $45,535

Topeka, KS $45,445

Frankfort, KY $45,440

Oklahoma City, OK $45,406

Chillicothe, OH $45,386

Longview, TX $45,381

Melbourne, FL $45,376

Sioux Falls, SD $45,296

Mobile, AL $45,291

Terre Haute, IN $45,271

Altoona, PA $45,242

Amarillo, TX $45,207

Killeen, TX $45,192

Fayetteville, AR $45,152

Chattanooga, TN $45,137

Sioux City, IA $45,092

Idaho Falls, ID $45,083

Lynchburg, VA $45,043

Gainesville, FL $44,978

Portsmouth, OH $44,953

Little Rock, AR $44,943

Lafayette, LA $44,923

Youngstown, OH $44,923

Daytona Beach, FL $44,894

Clarksville, TN $44,889

Pensacola, FL $44,884

Temple, TX $44,880

Hopkinsville, KY $44,735

Erie, PA $44,725

Florence, SC $44,705

Charleston, WV $44,625

Great Falls, MT $44,600

Macon, GA $44,531

Tallahassee, FL $44,526

Fayetteville, NC $44,516

Waco, TX $44,506

Helena, MT $44,471

Pine Bluff, AR $44,452

Vincennes, IN $44,392

Lubbock, TX $44,372

Alamogordo, NM $44,342

Twin Falls, ID $44,297

Rapid City, SD $44,282

Jackson, MS $44,193

Huntington, WV $44,189

Greenville, MS $44,188

Parkersburg, WV $44,137

Montgomery, AL $44,128

Wichita Falls, TX $44,078

Springfield, MO $44,078

Biloxi, MS $44,054

Monroe, LA $44,004

Johnstown, PA $43,969

Sumter, SC $43,949

Columbus, GA $43,944

Pascagoula, MS $43,850

Abilene, TX $43,850

Kingsport, TN $43,721

Albany, GA $43,721

Gulfport, MS $43,706

Alexandria, LA $43,542

Fort Smith, AR $43,417

El Paso, TX $43,283

Las Cruces, NM $43,060

Harlingen, TX $42,933

Pocatello, ID $42,925

Florence, AL $42,861

Brownsville, TX $42,851

Mcallen, TX $42,746

Dothan, AL $42,677

Columbus, MS $42,382

Altus, OK $42,150

Lawton, OK $42,055

Pierre, SD $41,877

What Skills Can Increase a Ship Builder's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Customer Service (Mentioned in 3.25% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
Accounting Software (Mentioned in 1.13% Job Postings): Accounting software makes it easier for business owners to manage financial procedures, performing financial tasks correctly and quickly.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Customer Service	3.25%
General Ledger	2.08%
Accounting Software	1.13%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Ship Builder's salary.

Concur: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Concur	$52,687	6%
Presentation	$52,687	6%
Innovation	$52,190	5%
Collaboration	$52,190	5%
Leadership	$52,190	5%
Process Improvement	$52,190	5%

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Ship Builder Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Ship Builder roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Ship Builder positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Ship Builder as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Ship Builder

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology	$59,646	$29.0	20%
Pharmaceuticals	$58,652	$28.0	18%
Energy & Utilities	$57,161	$27.0	15%
Financial Services	$57,161	$27.0	15%
Chemicals	$54,676	$26.0	10%

How Education impacts a Ship Builder's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Ship Builders enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Ship Builder with a Associate's Degree is between $48,167 and $50,899).

Ship Builder Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Ship Builder

No Diploma 1.1%

High School 38.3%

Associates 25.9%

Bachelors 32.2%

Masters 2.3%

Doctorate 0.2%

view as table

Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	1.1%
High School	38.3%
Associates	25.9%
Bachelors	32.2%
Masters	2.3%
Doctorate	0.2%

view as graph

Ship Builder Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Ship Builder'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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

$45,423

Average $49,705/year

$53,470

$3,785

Average $4,142/month

$4,456

$874

Average $956/week

$1,028

$22

Average $24/hour

$26

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$53,470	$4,456	$1,028	$26
Average	$49,705	$4,142	$956	$24
25th Percentile	$45,423	$3,785	$874	$22

Salaries of jobs related to Ship Builder

Salary Trends for Ship Builder

Salaries for a Ship Builder can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $46,708 in 2023 to around $45,776 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Ship Builder salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Ship Builder Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$46,708

2024

$46,055

2025

$45,776

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$46,708
2024	$46,055
2025	$45,776
2026	View More
2027	View More

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FAQ about Ship Builder

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Ship Builder?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Ship Builder roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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