Motorboat Operator salary in California
Motorboat Operators in California earn a median of $34,570 a year ($16.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,490 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $47,520. California ranks 13th of 13 states for motorboat operators pay. There are 0.01 motorboat operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $53,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for motorboat operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 25th percentile | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Median | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| 75th percentile | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,490 | $44.47 |
| Average (mean) | $53,260 | $25.61 |
Half of motorboat operators 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 | $2,880.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,440.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,329.62 |
| Weekly | $664.81 |
| Hourly | $16.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Motorboat Operator salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $34,510 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for motorboat operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,250 |
| Illinois | $68,380 |
| Washington | $63,650 |
| New York | $62,000 |
| Texas | $50,270 |
| Michigan | $46,760 |
| Florida | $46,620 |
| Connecticut | $45,970 |
| Louisiana | $45,800 |
| Massachusetts | $45,160 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $110,090 | $52.93 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $55,180 | $26.53 |
| Ship Engineer | $97,660 | $46.95 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,730 | $21.50 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $67,130 | $32.27 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-5022. 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 motorboat operator make in California?
The median salary for motorboat operators in California is $34,570 a year, or $16.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid motorboat operators make in California?
The top 10% of motorboat operators in California earn at least $92,490 a year. The top 25% earn $78,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for motorboat operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,320 a year, and a quarter of motorboat operators earn $34,510 or less.
How many motorboat operators work in California?
About 190 motorboat operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.