As of May 18, 2021, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in the US is $295,958, equivalent to $142 per hour, $5,692 weekly, or $24,663 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Chief Engineer in the US vary widely, spanning from $242,821 to $330,475. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($268,144) and 75th percentile ($314,025), while top earners (90th percentile) make $330,475 per year. This $45,881 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Leadership or Housekeeping, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Chief Engineer often earn 11.3% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Chief Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $242,821 US May 18, 2021
25th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $268,144 US May 18, 2021
50th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $295,958 US May 18, 2021
75th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $314,025 US May 18, 2021
90th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $330,475 US May 18, 2021
25% $268,144 10% $242,821 90% $330,475 75% $314,025 $295,958 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out Chief Engineer jobs in Columbus, Ohio

Chief Engineer with Security Clearance

Building People LLC/The - Cincinnati, OH

M&S Chief Engineer/Scientist with Security Clearance

Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc. - wright-patterson afb, OH

CHIEF ENGINEER WITH SECURITY CLEARANCE

Building People LLC/The - Cincinnati, OH

M&S CHIEF ENGINEER/SCIENTIST WITH SECURITY CLEARANCE

Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc. - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH

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What is a Chief Engineer ?

A chief engineer, commonly referred to as "ChEng" or "Chief", is the seniormost engine officer of an engine department on a ship, typically a merchant ship, and holds overall leadership and responsibility of that department. As a person who holds one of the most senior roles on the ship, he or she must have excellent communication and leadership skills. He or she will be expected to regularly work alongside other crew members and external consultants, and most importantly, provide guidance his or her team. To be a chief engineer, an engineer must attain a chief engineer's license appropriate ...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/17/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Job Openings for Chief Engineer

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Chief Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
268144
314025
295958

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
344301
479117
402416
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Chief Engineer in the United States. The base salary for Chief Engineer ranges from $268,144 to $314,025 with the average base salary of $295,958. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $344,301 to $479,117 with the average total cash compensation of $402,416.

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268144
314025

 

Jobs with a similar salary range to Chief Engineer : Chief Engineer Officer