Motorboat Operator salary in Illinois
Motorboat Operators in Illinois earn a median of $68,380 a year ($32.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,140 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $47,520. Illinois ranks 2nd of 13 states for motorboat operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 motorboat operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $70,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for motorboat operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| 25th percentile | $68,380 | $32.88 |
| Median | $68,380 | $32.88 |
| 75th percentile | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,140 | $45.26 |
| Average (mean) | $70,700 | $33.99 |
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 | $5,698.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,849.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,630 |
| Weekly | $1,315 |
| Hourly | $32.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $69,600 | $33.46 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Ship Engineer | $115,310 | $55.44 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Flight Attendant | $62,120 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for motorboat operators in Illinois is $68,380 a year, or $32.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid motorboat operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of motorboat operators in Illinois earn at least $94,140 a year. The top 25% earn $75,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for motorboat operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,640 a year, and a quarter of motorboat operators earn $68,380 or less.
How many motorboat operators work in Illinois?
About 40 motorboat operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.