Watch Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Watch Officer make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Watch Officer in the United States is $39,120 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Watch Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42,657
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,385 to $40,971
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,895
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View as table View as graph 25% $36,385 10% $33,895 90% $42,657 75% $40,971 $39,120 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Watch Officer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $40,971 $3,414 $788 $20
Average $39,120 $3,260 $752 $19
25th Percentile $36,385 $3,032 $700 $17
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Key Factors That Influence Watch Officer Salaries

A Watch Officer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Watch Officer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Watch Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $43,313.
  • California: $43,149.
  • Massachusetts: $42,574.

Top Paying Cities for Watch Officers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $49,341
  • San Francisco: $48,801
  • Oakland: $47,773

What Skills Can Increase a Watch Officer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 28.07% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
  • CCTV (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings):
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 28.07%
Food Service 2.71%
CCTV 1.54%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Watch Officer's salary.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Diversity and Inclusion
 $41,467
6%
Problem Solving
 $41,467
6%
Accountability
 $40,684
4%
Leadership
 $40,684
4%
Physical Security
 $40,684
4%
Commitment
 $40,293
3%
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Watch Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Watch Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Watch Officer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Watch Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Watch Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$54,767$26.040%
Biotechnology$50,855$24.030%
Financial Services$48,899$24.025%
Aerospace & Defense$46,943$23.020%
Software & Networking$46,943$23.020%

How Education impacts a Watch Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Watch Officers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Watch Officer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $35,608 and $37,922).

Watch Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Watch Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 60.0%
Associates 16.9%
Bachelors 18.8%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.4%
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Watch Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Watch Officer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$36,385
Average $39,120/year
$40,971
$3,032
Average $3,260/month
$3,414
$700
Average $752/week
$788
$17
Average $19/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $40,971 $3,414 $788 $20
Average $39,120 $3,260 $752 $19
25th Percentile $36,385 $3,032 $700 $17

Salaries of jobs related to Watch Officer

Salary Trends for Watch Officer

Salaries for a Watch Officer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $37,159 in 2023 to around $36,449 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Watch Officer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Watch Officer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$37,159
2024
$36,966
2025
$36,449
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $37,159
2024 $36,966
2025 $36,449
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Watch Officer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Watch Officer

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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