As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in District of Columbia is $328,009, equivalent to $158 per hour, $6,308 weekly, or $27,334 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Engineer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Chief Engineer in District of Columbia vary widely, spanning from $268,527 to $367,061. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($296,874) and 75th percentile ($348,451), while top earners (90th percentile) make $367,061 per year. This $51,577 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Leadership or Housekeeping, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Chief Engineer often earn 10.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies. However, District of Columbia currently ranks 1 nationwide for Chief Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Chief Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $268,527 DC May 01, 2026
25th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $296,874 DC May 01, 2026
50th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $328,009 DC May 01, 2026
75th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $348,451 DC May 01, 2026
90th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $367,061 DC May 01, 2026
25% $296,874 10% $268,527 90% $367,061 75% $348,451 $328,009 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Chief Engineer

ABM - Washington, DC

Chief Engineer

ABM Industries - Washington, DC

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Lincoln Property Company - Washington, DC

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What is a Chief Engineer ?

A chief engineer, commonly referred to as "ChEng" or "Chief", is the seniormost engine officer of an engine department on a ship, typically a merchant ship, and holds overall leadership and responsibility of that department. As a person who holds one of the most senior roles on the ship, he or she must have excellent communication and leadership skills. He or she will be expected to regularly work alongside other crew members and external consultants, and most importantly, provide guidance his or her team. To be a chief engineer, an engineer must attain a chief engineer's license appropriate ...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/17/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Naval Anacost Annex, DC Avg. Salary $347,057 Date Updated May 01, 2026
Location Parcel Return Service, DC Avg. Salary $347,070 Date Updated May 01, 2026
Location Washington, DC Avg. Salary $347,073 Date Updated May 01, 2026
Location Washington Navy Yard, DC Avg. Salary $347,070 Date Updated May 01, 2026
Job Openings for Chief Engineer in District of Columbia

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