As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in Kentucky is $278,926, equivalent to $134 per hour, $5,364 weekly, or $23,244 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 Kentucky vary widely, spanning from $227,769 to $312,078. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($252,149) and 75th percentile ($296,279), while top earners (90th percentile) make $312,078 per year. This $44,130 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, Kentucky Chief Engineer often earn 5.9% lower than national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies. However, Kentucky currently ranks 41 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 $227,769 KY August 01, 2026
25th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $252,149 KY August 01, 2026
50th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $278,926 KY August 01, 2026
75th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $296,279 KY August 01, 2026
90th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $312,078 KY August 01, 2026
25% $252,149 10% $227,769 90% $312,078 75% $296,279 $278,926 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Chief Engineer

Marquette Transportation - Paducah, KY

Chief Engineer

Residence Inn Louisville - Louisville, KY

Chief Engineer

Residence Inn Lexington, 1080 Newtown Pike, Lexington 40511 - Lexington, KY

Chief Engineer

DoubleTree Suites By Hilton Lexington - Lexington, KY

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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 Aberdeen, KY Avg. Salary $286,831 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Adairville, KY Avg. Salary $290,248 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Adams, KY Avg. Salary $283,715 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Adolphus, KY Avg. Salary $290,991 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Ages Brookside, KY Avg. Salary $284,341 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Albany, KY Avg. Salary $285,672 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Alexandria, KY Avg. Salary $307,664 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Allen, KY Avg. Salary $283,976 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Allensville, KY Avg. Salary $287,977 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Almo, KY Avg. Salary $287,396 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Job Openings for Chief Engineer in Kentucky

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