Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary in California
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California earn a median of $110,700 a year ($53.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,760 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $112,230. California ranks 8th of 15 states for marine engineers and naval architects pay. There are 0.01 marine engineers and naval architects per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.26). The average (mean) salary is $118,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for marine engineers and naval architects in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,090 | $31.77 |
| 25th percentile | $89,700 | $43.13 |
| Median | $110,700 | $53.22 |
| 75th percentile | $141,790 | $68.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,760 | $83.06 |
| Average (mean) | $118,380 | $56.91 |
Half of marine engineers and naval architects earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,225 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,612.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,257.69 |
| Weekly | $2,128.85 |
| Hourly | $53.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $140,520 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $118,100 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $103,170 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for marine engineers and naval architects
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $172,330 |
| Texas | $152,780 |
| South Carolina | $136,990 |
| Florida | $130,640 |
| Maryland | $130,150 |
| Massachusetts | $114,640 |
| New York | $112,230 |
| California | $110,700 |
| Washington | $109,550 |
| Hawaii | $108,200 |
See Marine Engineers and Naval Architects pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Industrial Engineer | $124,600 | $59.90 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $130,900 | $62.94 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Electrical Engineer | $144,040 | $69.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $185,180 | $89.03 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $130,410 | $62.70 |
| Materials Engineer | $128,470 | $61.77 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $128,310 | $61.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $131,540 | $63.24 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $172,400 | $82.88 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $143,590 | $69.03 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2121. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marine engineers and naval architects make in California?
The median salary for marine engineers and naval architects in California is $110,700 a year, or $53.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid marine engineers and naval architects make in California?
The top 10% of marine engineers and naval architects in California earn at least $172,760 a year. The top 25% earn $141,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for marine engineers and naval architects in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,090 a year, and a quarter of marine engineers and naval architects earn $89,700 or less.
How many marine engineers and naval architects work in California?
About 250 marine engineers and naval architects are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.