Motorboat Operator salary in Tennessee
Motorboat Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $42,360 a year ($20.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,520 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $47,520. Tennessee ranks 12th of 13 states for motorboat operators pay. There are 0.02 motorboat operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for motorboat operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| 25th percentile | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Median | $42,360 | $20.37 |
| 75th percentile | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,520 | $28.14 |
| Average (mean) | $45,610 | $21.93 |
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 | $3,530 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,765 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,629.23 |
| Weekly | $814.62 |
| Hourly | $20.37 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $42,360 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $132,710 | $63.80 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $31,970 | $15.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for motorboat operators in Tennessee is $42,360 a year, or $20.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid motorboat operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of motorboat operators in Tennessee earn at least $58,520 a year. The top 25% earn $47,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for motorboat operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,590 a year, and a quarter of motorboat operators earn $36,570 or less.
How many motorboat operators work in Tennessee?
About 60 motorboat operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.