Marine Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Marine Engineer make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Marine Engineer in the United States is $84,343 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,703
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $82,669 to $90,813
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,144
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View as table View as graph 25% $82,669 10% $81,144 90% $96,703 75% $90,813 $84,343 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Marine Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $90,813 $7,568 $1,746 $44
Average $84,343 $7,029 $1,622 $41
25th Percentile $82,669 $6,889 $1,590 $40
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Key Factors That Influence Marine Engineer Salaries

A Marine 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Marine Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Marine 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $84,227
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $84,413
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $85,774
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $86,650
  • Expert (over 8 years): $86,869
Levels Salary
Entry Level Marine Engineer$84,227
Intermediate Level Marine Engineer$84,413
Senior Level Marine Engineer$85,774
Specialist Level Marine Engineer$86,650
Expert Level Marine Engineer$86,869
$84,227 0 yr
$84,413 < 2 yrs
$85,774 2-4 yrs
$86,650 5-8 yrs
$86,869 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Marine Engineers

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: $106,382
  • San Francisco: $105,217
  • Oakland: $103,000

What Skills Can Increase a Marine Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Products and Services (Mentioned in 5.57% Job Postings): Knowledge of the full array of our organization's products and services including those that are created for internal customers; insight into the differentiating factors that distinguish them from those of competitors.
  • Customer Acquisition (Mentioned in 1.71% Job Postings): Attracting and converting new customers for our business.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.02% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Products and Services 5.57%
Customer Acquisition 1.71%
Business Administration 1.02%
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 Marine Engineer's salary.
  • Balance Sheet: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Lead Generation: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Balance Sheet
$96,995
15%
Planning
$96,995
15%
Lead Generation
$96,151
14%
Coordination
$95,308
13%
Customer Contact
$93,621
11%
Problem Solving
$93,621
11%
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Marine Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Marine Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Financial Services, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Marine Engineer positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Marine Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Marine Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$101,212$49.020%

How Education impacts a Marine Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Marine Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Marine Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $77,228 and $84,454).

Marine Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Marine Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.4%
High School 4.4%
Associates 4.4%
Bachelors 64.4%
Masters 24.4%
Doctorate 2.2%
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Marine Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Marine 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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Marine Engineer

Salaries for a Marine Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $84,240 in 2023 to around $82,518 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Marine Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Marine Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$84,240
2024
$83,242
2025
$82,518
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $84,240
2024 $83,242
2025 $82,518
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Marine Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Marine Engineer

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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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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