Kentucky Median
$120,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$57.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $109,530
State Rank
#7 of 24
state estimate
How much does a Ship Engineer make in Kentucky?
Ship Engineers in Kentucky take home a median of $120,550 annually — roughly $57.96 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $109,530.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $81,040 while the top 10% make $121,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $116,330 and $121,270 a year.
Ship Engineer salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,040 | $38.96 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $116,330 | $55.93 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $120,550 | $57.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $121,270 | $58.30 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,880 | $58.60 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 7th out of 24 states and territories for Ship Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Ship Engineer salary in other states
New York $133,640Hawaii $131,640Florida $130,480Texas $127,810Massachusetts $122,720Indiana $122,190Rhode Island $119,330Connecticut $119,010New Jersey $118,310Illinois $115,310Washington $107,940Louisiana $103,430Mississippi $98,380South Carolina $97,890California $97,660Alabama $96,030Oregon $88,800Alaska $88,190Virginia $82,370Pennsylvania $80,210Michigan $79,170Maine $77,160North Carolina $65,010
Working as a Ship Engineer in Kentucky
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Ship Engineers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($120,550) 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 Ship Engineer make in Kentucky?
The median Ship Engineer salary in Kentucky is $120,550 per year, or about $57.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $81,040 at the entry level to $121,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Ship Engineers about 10% more than the national median of $109,530. Kentucky ranks 7th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Ship Engineers?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $120,550 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Ship Engineer 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.