BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California

$118,380 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$56.91 per hour

▼ 4.7% below U.S. average8th of 15 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$118,380per year
Median$110,700per year
Hourly$56.91per hour
10th – 90th percentile$66,090 – $172,760per year

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Pay Range in California

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$66,090
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$89,700
  • 50th Percentile — Median$110,700
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$141,790
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$172,760

Half of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California earn more than $110,700. The top 10% make $172,760 or more, while entry-level workers start around $66,090.

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • California ranks 8th of 15 states for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects pay, at $118,380 per year (4.7% below the U.S. average of $124,180).
  • 250 people work as Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California — 3.0% of all U.S. Marine Engineers and Naval Architects jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.26: Marine Engineers and Naval Architects jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $66,090; the top 10% earn over $172,760.
  • Hourly equivalent: $56.91 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $156,300.
  • Among engineering jobs in California, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($190,590).

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Job Market in California

Key factors affecting compensation

California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Marine Engineers and Naval Architects here earn $118,380 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $118,380 is roughly equivalent to $83,366 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($133,820), Massachusetts ($128,580), South Carolina ($125,430) are the closest alternatives for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary in California?

The average Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary in California is $118,380 per year (median $110,700), which is 4.7% below the national average of $124,180.

How does California rank for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects pay?

California ranks 8th out of 15 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($156,300/yr).

How much do entry-level Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make in California?

The lowest-paid 10% of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California earn about $66,090 per year and the 25th percentile is $89,700.

How much do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make per hour in California?

About $56.91 per hour, based on the $118,380 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Marine Engineers and Naval Architects work in California?

BLS counts 250 Marine Engineers and Naval Architects jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).

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