As of July 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in Washington is $321,344, equivalent to $154 per hour, $6,180 weekly, or $26,779 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 Washington vary widely, spanning from $262,394 to $359,561. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($290,487) and 75th percentile ($341,348), while top earners (90th percentile) make $359,561 per year. This $50,861 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, Washington Chief Engineer often earn 8.4% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies. However, Washington currently ranks 4 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 $262,394 WA July 01, 2026
25th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $290,487 WA July 01, 2026
50th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $321,344 WA July 01, 2026
75th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $341,348 WA July 01, 2026
90th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $359,561 WA July 01, 2026
25% $290,487 10% $262,394 90% $359,561 75% $341,348 $321,344 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Longline Chief Engineer

Coastal Villages Region Fund - Seattle, WA

Unlicensed Vessel Chief Engineer 2026

O'Hara Corporation - Seattle, WA

Chief Engineer

Marriott International Inc - Seattle, WA

Chief Engineer | Nexus

Columbia Hospitality - Seattle, WA

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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, WA Avg. Salary $330,540 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Acme, WA Avg. Salary $327,407 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Addy, WA Avg. Salary $321,449 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Adna, WA Avg. Salary $331,722 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Airway Heights, WA Avg. Salary $322,988 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Albion, WA Avg. Salary $321,037 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Allyn, WA Avg. Salary $340,234 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Almira, WA Avg. Salary $319,003 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Amanda Park, WA Avg. Salary $326,859 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Amboy, WA Avg. Salary $329,295 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Job Openings for Chief Engineer in Washington

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