Ship Engineers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $83,240 -17.8% vs national
Median hourly $40.02
10th percentile $61,770
90th percentile $117,890
Employed locally 70
National median $101,320

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Ship Engineers
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,770
    25th
    $79,730
    50th (median)
    $83,240
    75th
    $98,720
    90th
    $117,890

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Ship Engineers salary vs area income 81% Median Ship Engineers salary is 19% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Ship Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Maryland $170,630
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $147,760
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $143,600
    Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $139,280
    Massachusetts $136,260
    California $134,660

    Nearby metros — Ship Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $147,760
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $143,600
    California $134,660
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $113,440
    South Carolina $99,670
    Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA $86,590

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $39,000
    Stockers and Order Fillers $38,690
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,480
    Light Truck Drivers $43,820
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $58,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Ship Engineers make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Ship Engineers in San Diego, CA is $40.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.66 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Ship Engineers salaries?

    The median Ship Engineers salary in San Diego, CA is 17.8% below the national median of $101,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Ship Engineers in San Diego?

    Entry-level Ship Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $61,770 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,730.