As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in Virginia is $298,490, equivalent to $144 per hour, $5,740 weekly, or $24,874 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 Virginia vary widely, spanning from $243,744 to $333,967. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($269,834) and 75th percentile ($317,060), while top earners (90th percentile) make $333,967 per year. This $47,226 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, Virginia Chief Engineer often earn 0.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies. However, Virginia currently ranks 18 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 $243,744 VA August 01, 2026
25th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $269,834 VA August 01, 2026
50th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $298,490 VA August 01, 2026
75th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $317,060 VA August 01, 2026
90th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $333,967 VA August 01, 2026
25% $269,834 10% $243,744 90% $333,967 75% $317,060 $298,490 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Chief Engineer

WASEYABEK DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC - Arlington, VA

Chief Engineer

Facilities Plus - Fairfax, VA

Chief Engineer

Pioneering Evolution LLC - Arlington, VA

Chief Engineer

Harmony Hospitality - Chesapeake, VA

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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 Annandale, VA Avg. Salary $348,864 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Virginia State University, VA Avg. Salary $308,118 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Abingdon, VA Avg. Salary $288,339 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Accomac, VA Avg. Salary $301,853 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Achilles, VA Avg. Salary $299,420 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Afton, VA Avg. Salary $297,190 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Alberta, VA Avg. Salary $302,030 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Aldie, VA Avg. Salary $333,071 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Alexandria, VA Avg. Salary $349,671 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Altavista, VA Avg. Salary $290,524 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Job Openings for Chief Engineer in Virginia

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