As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for ship driver in the US is $46,574, equivalent to $22 per hour, $896 weekly, or $3,881 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for ship driver in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for ship driver in the US vary widely, spanning from $38,555 to $56,836. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($42,377) and 75th percentile ($51,945), while top earners (90th percentile) make $56,836 per year. This $9,568 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Customer Service or Consumer Electronics, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia ship driver often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 36 companies and industry startups. 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
ship driver Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile ship driver Salary $38,555 US January 01, 2026
25th Percentile ship driver Salary $42,377 US January 01, 2026
50th Percentile ship driver Salary $46,574 US January 01, 2026
75th Percentile ship driver Salary $51,945 US January 01, 2026
90th Percentile ship driver Salary $56,836 US January 01, 2026
25% $42,377 10% $38,555 90% $56,836 75% $51,945 $46,574 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out ship driver jobs in the United States

Driver

Mclane Company, Inc. - SPRINGFIELD, MA

Driver

Sysco - BURLINGTON, KY

Driver

Transdev - CUBA, NY

Driver

MV Transportation - BATAVIA, IL

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What is a ship driver ?

The salary of a ship driver, also known as a maritime or marine operator, varies based on factors such as experience, type of vessel, and geographic location. Entry-level positions typically start at a lower range, while experienced professionals can earn significantly more. On average, salaries may range from $40,000 to $100,000 annually, with potential for overtime pay and bonuses. Additional benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The demand for skilled ship drivers is influenced by the shipping industry’s growth, making this a potentially lucrative car...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Job Openings for ship driver

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Delivery Truck Driver I

    0 - 1 years experience
    High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

  2. This Job:

    ship driver

    1 - 3 years experience
    High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a ship driver, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
42377
51945
46574

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
45665
60789
52596
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of ship driver in the United States. The base salary for ship driver ranges from $42,377 to $51,945 with the average base salary of $46,574. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $45,665 to $60,789 with the average total cash compensation of $52,596.

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42377
51945

 

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