As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in District of Columbia is $327,772, equivalent to $158 per hour, $6,303 weekly, or $27,314 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Chief Engineer in District of Columbia vary widely, spanning from $268,228 to $366,573. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($296,604) and 75th percentile ($348,082), while top earners (90th percentile) make $366,573 per year. This $51,478 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 $268,228 DC January 01, 2026
25th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $296,604 DC January 01, 2026
50th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $327,772 DC January 01, 2026
75th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $348,082 DC January 01, 2026
90th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $366,573 DC January 01, 2026
25% $296,604 10% $268,228 90% $366,573 75% $348,082 $327,772 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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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 $345,415 Date Updated January 01, 2026
Location Parcel Return Service, DC Avg. Salary $345,415 Date Updated January 01, 2026
Location Washington, DC Avg. Salary $345,415 Date Updated January 01, 2026
Location Washington Navy Yard, DC Avg. Salary $345,415 Date Updated January 01, 2026
Job Openings for Chief Engineer in District of Columbia

Jobs with a similar salary range to Chief Engineer : Chief Engineer Officer