Ship Engineers Salary in California

Ship engineers in California earn the most in San Francisco (average $130,570 a year) and the least in San Diego ($90,770), across the 3 California metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the ship engineers average at $117,530 and the median at $97,660 for 610 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $111,790.

Ship Engineers average salary by city in California

San Francisco$130,570
Los Angeles$98,400
San Diego$90,770

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
San Francisco	$130,570	$108,770	$95,390	$92,460	116
Los Angeles	$98,400	$84,630	$84,620	$72,995	114
San Diego	$90,770	$85,310	$80,820	$68,337	112

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Ship Engineers salary in other states

Ship Engineers salary by city and state

More about pay in California

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-5031.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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