Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$110,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$53.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $112,230
State Rank
#8 of 15
250 employed here

How much do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make in California?

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California take home a median of $110,700 annually — roughly $53.22 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $112,230.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $66,090 while the top 10% make $172,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $89,700 and $141,790 a year.

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$66,090$31.77
25th percentile (early career)$89,700$43.13
50th percentile (median)$110,700$53.22
75th percentile (experienced)$141,790$68.17
90th percentile (top earners)$172,760$83.06

How California compares

California ranks 8th out of 15 states and territories for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$172,330
2Texas$152,780
3South Carolina$136,990
4Florida$130,640
5Maryland$130,150

Working as Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in California

Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($110,700) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make in California?
The median Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary in California is $110,700 per year, or about $53.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,090 at the entry level to $172,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Marine Engineers and Naval Architects about 1% less than the national median of $112,230. California ranks 8th out of 15 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $110,700 a year. About 250 Marine Engineers and Naval Architects are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.