Ship Engineer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Ship Engineers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$65,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-41% vs US median
US median $109,530
State Rank
#24 of 24
90 employed here

How much does a Ship Engineer make in North Carolina?

Ship Engineers in North Carolina take home a median of $65,010 annually — roughly $31.25 an hour — which runs 41% below the national median of $109,530.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $62,360 while the top 10% make $96,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,640 and $85,850 a year.

Ship Engineer salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,360$29.98
25th percentile (early career)$62,640$30.12
50th percentile (median)$65,010$31.25
75th percentile (experienced)$85,850$41.27
90th percentile (top earners)$96,940$46.61

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 24th out of 24 states and territories for Ship Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$133,640
2Hawaii$131,640
3Florida$130,480
4Texas$127,810
5Massachusetts$122,720

Working as a Ship Engineer in North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($65,010) 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 North Carolina?
The median Ship Engineer salary in North Carolina is $65,010 per year, or about $31.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,360 at the entry level to $96,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Ship Engineers about 41% less than the national median of $109,530. North Carolina ranks 24th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Ship Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $65,010 a year. About 90 Ship Engineers are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.