As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for ship driver in Chicago, IL is $48,136, equivalent to $23 per hour, $926 weekly, or $4,011 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 Chicago, IL vary widely, spanning from $39,852 to $58,770. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($43,800) and 75th percentile ($53,702), while top earners (90th percentile) make $58,770 per year. This $9,902 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, Chicago ship driver often earn 1.4% higher than national averages. However, Chicago currently ranks 264 statewide for ship driver 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
ship driver Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile ship driver Salary $39,852 Chicago, IL April 01, 2026
25th Percentile ship driver Salary $43,800 Chicago, IL April 01, 2026
50th Percentile ship driver Salary $48,136 Chicago, IL April 01, 2026
75th Percentile ship driver Salary $53,702 Chicago, IL April 01, 2026
90th Percentile ship driver Salary $58,770 Chicago, IL April 01, 2026
25% $43,800 10% $39,852 90% $58,770 75% $53,702 $48,136 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out ship driver jobs in Chicago, Illinois

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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 in Chicago, IL

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

 
 
 
43800
53702
48136

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
45386
62035
52400
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of ship driver in Chicago, IL. The base salary for ship driver ranges from $43,800 to $53,702 with the average base salary of $48,136. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $45,386 to $62,035 with the average total cash compensation of $52,400.

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For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

43800
53702

 

About Chicago, Illinois    Chicago (/ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊ/ (listen), locally also /-ˈkɔː-/), officially the City of Chicago, is the most populous city in Illinois, as well as the third mos....More

Chicago, Illinois  area prices were up 0.8% from a year ago

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