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 $45,831, an Ship Builder (1-3 years)earns $51,240, an Accounts Payable Clerk III (3-5 years)earns $56,797, an Accounts Payable Supervisor (5+ years)earns $74,619, an Accounts Payable Senior Supervisor (5+ years)earns $91,284,

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.

Ship Builder Salary in Delaware

How much does a Ship Builder make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Ship Builder in Delaware is $50,336 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): $57,620
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,999 to $54,149
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,051

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Ship Builder Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$54,149	$4,512	$1,041	$26
Average	$50,336	$4,195	$968	$24
25th Percentile	$45,999	$3,833	$885	$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 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): $45,831
Early Career (1-2 years): $51,240
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,797
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $74,619
Expert (over 8 years): $91,284

Levels	Salary
Accounts ... Level Ship Builder	$45,831
Ship Buil... Level Ship Builder	$51,240
Accounts ... Level Ship Builder	$56,797
Accounts ... Level Ship Builder	$74,619
Accounts ... Level Ship Builder	$91,284

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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:

Lincoln: $50,110
Little Creek: $50,477
Magnolia: $50,404

Lincoln, DE $50,110 Little Creek, DE $50,477 Magnolia, DE $50,404 Milford, DE $50,237 Marydel, DE $50,319 Millsboro, DE $49,899 Millville, DE $49,976 Milton, DE $50,063

Nassau, DE $50,099 Ocean View, DE $49,968 Rehoboth Beach, DE $50,064 Seaford, DE $50,092 Selbyville, DE $49,885 Smyrna, DE $50,511 Viola, DE $50,279 Woodside, DE $50,414

Bear, DE $50,298 Newark, DE $50,279 Claymont, DE $50,382 Delaware City, DE $50,329 Hockessin, DE $50,274 Kirkwood, DE $50,319 Middletown, DE $50,339 Montchanin, DE $50,286

New Castle, DE $50,293 Odessa, DE $50,364 Port Penn, DE $50,397 Rockland, DE $50,291 Saint Georges, DE $50,323 Townsend, DE $50,400 Winterthur, DE $50,297 Lewes, DE $50,082

Wilmington, DE $50,277 Dover, DE $50,477 Dover Afb, DE $50,211 Bethany Beach, DE $49,915 Bethel, DE $49,967 Bridgeville, DE $50,085 Camden Wyoming, DE $50,334 Cheswold, DE $50,460

Clayton, DE $50,462 Dagsboro, DE $49,881 Delmar, DE $49,801 Ellendale, DE $49,952 Felton, DE $50,233 Fenwick Island, DE $49,891 Frankford, DE $49,805 Frederica, DE $50,283

Georgetown, DE $49,862 Greenwood, DE $50,093 Harbeson, DE $49,915 Harrington, DE $50,169 Hartly, DE $50,325 Houston, DE $50,098 Kenton, DE $50,464 Laurel, DE $49,832

Yorklyn, DE $50,289

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	$60,404	$29.0	20%
Pharmaceuticals	$59,397	$29.0	18%
Energy & Utilities	$57,887	$28.0	15%
Financial Services	$57,887	$28.0	15%
Chemicals	$55,370	$27.0	10%

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

$45,999

Average $50,336/year

$54,149

$3,833

Average $4,195/month

$4,512

$885

Average $968/week

$1,041

$22

Average $24/hour

$26

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$54,149	$4,512	$1,041	$26
Average	$50,336	$4,195	$968	$24
25th Percentile	$45,999	$3,833	$885	$22

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