Motorboat Operator Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Motorboat Operators in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$34,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-27% vs US median
US median $47,520
State Rank
#13 of 13
190 employed here

How much does a Motorboat Operator make in California?

A Motorboat Operator working in California earns a median salary of $34,570 per year, or about $16.62 per hour. That is 27% below the national median of $47,520 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,320 while the top 10% make $92,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,510 and $78,330 a year.

Motorboat Operator salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,320$16.50
25th percentile (early career)$34,510$16.59
50th percentile (median)$34,570$16.62
75th percentile (experienced)$78,330$37.66
90th percentile (top earners)$92,490$44.47

How California compares

California ranks 13th out of 13 states and territories for Motorboat Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$76,250
2Illinois$68,380
3Washington$63,650
4New York$62,000
5Texas$50,270

Working as a Motorboat Operator in California

Nationally, about 2,000 people work as Motorboat Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($34,570) 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 does a Motorboat Operator make in California?
The median Motorboat Operator salary in California is $34,570 per year, or about $16.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,320 at the entry level to $92,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Motorboat Operators about 27% less than the national median of $47,520. California ranks 13th out of 13 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Motorboat Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,570 a year. About 190 Motorboat Operators 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 Motorboat Operator salary report

Related salaries

Rail Transportation Worker, All Other

$56,360
median pay · 1,000 employed

Hoist and Winch Operators

$56,450
median pay · 3,000 employed

Flight Attendant

$63,580
median pay · 132,000 employed

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

$49,690
median pay · 147,000 employed

Driver/Sale Workers

$38,770
median pay · 409,000 employed

Airfield Operations Specialist

$56,850
median pay · 15,000 employed
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.