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Average Ship Engineers Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Ship Engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area earn an average annual salary of $102,080. This figure is slightly below the national average of $109,280, a difference often influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demands of maritime operations in the Pacific Northwest. The concentration of the maritime industry in this locale plays a significant role in shaping compensation for specialized roles like Ship Engineers.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $102,080 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 11.8% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $153,320.
  • Outlook: The job market for Ship Engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, appears robust, indicated by a substantial local workforce of 770 professionals. The exceptionally high Location Quotient of 6.67 signifies a significantly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting strong and consistent demand within the region's maritime sector.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$102,080

The average Ship Engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earns-6.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$49.1

Weekly

$1,963

Monthly

$8,507

Ship Engineers Salary Distribution in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Salary progression for Ship Engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start considerably lower than the average, while senior engineers with extensive expertise and leadership responsibilities can command salaries well above the $102,080 average. The widening gap between entry-level and senior-level salaries reflects the increasing value placed on specialized knowledge and proven track records in the maritime industry.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.10% (Entry)$61,870$29.7
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.25% (Junior)$76,560$36.8
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.50% (Median)$96,390$46.3
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.75% (Senior)$127,600$61.3
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.90% (Expert)$153,320$73.7

Detailed Ship Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$102,080

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$102,080

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $102,080 for Ship Engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living (index of 100). This means that the purchasing power of a Ship Engineer's salary in this metropolitan area is comparable to that of their counterparts in an average U.S. location, offering stability in terms of real income.

Job Market Context

770

Total Jobs

0.371

Per 1K Jobs

6.67

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has 6.7x the national concentration of Ship Engineers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a Location Quotient of 6.67, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, area is exceptionally concentrated with Ship Engineers relative to the rest of the nation. This high concentration indicates a specialized and potentially competitive job market, where employers actively seek out talent with specific maritime engineering skills, and professionals benefit from a deep pool of industry-specific opportunities.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Ship Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Ship Engineers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The median annual salary for a Ship Engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $102,080. This typically ranges from $61,870 for entry-level positions to $153,320 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is 6.6% lower than the national median of $109,280.

Is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA a lucrative place for Ship Engineers?

Yes, with caveats.While the average salary is slightly below the national average, the high concentration of jobs and a cost of living on par with the national average make it a stable and opportunity-rich environment for Ship Engineers.

Is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA a good place to live for Ship Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Ship Engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, is $102,080, which is slightly lower than the national average of $109,280.

What does the Location Quotient of 6.67 mean for Ship Engineers in Seattle?

A Location Quotient of 6.67 indicates that Ship Engineers are 6.67 times more concentrated in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area than the national average, suggesting high regional demand.

How does the cost of living in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA affect a Ship Engineer's salary?

The cost of living in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, is exactly at the national average (index of 100), meaning the $102,080 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary in a typical U.S. location.

What is the total number of Ship Engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area?

There are approximately 770 Ship Engineers employed within the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 770 employees in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area with a job density of 0.371 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.