How much does a Motorboat Operator make?
The median pay for a Motorboat Operator in the United States is $47,520 per year — about $22.85 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $34,510, while the most experienced Motorboat Operators in the top 10% earn $84,530.
That is $13,870 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Motorboat Operator salary range by percentile
Half of all Motorboat Operators earn between $42,760 and $69,010 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,510 | $16.59 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,760 | $20.56 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,520 | $22.85 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $69,010 | $33.18 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,530 | $40.64 |
Highest-paying states for Motorboat Operator
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Motorboat Operator pay at $76,250 a year, followed by Illinois ($68,380) and Washington ($63,650). At the other end, California posts the lowest median at $34,570 — a gap of $41,680 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $76,250 | $36.66 | +60% |
| 2 | Illinois | $68,380 | $32.88 | +44% |
| 3 | Washington | $63,650 | $30.60 | +34% |
| 4 | New York | $62,000 | $29.81 | +30% |
| 5 | Texas | $50,270 | $24.17 | +6% |
Motorboat Operator salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 13 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 2,000 people work as Motorboat Operators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $56,270 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other transportation roles with similar pay.