Motorboat Operators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for motorboat operators in the U.S. is $47,520 ($22.85 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $47,520
- Mean annual wage
- $56,270
- Median hourly wage
- $22.85
- Employment
- 2,480
2,480 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 25th percentile | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Median (50th) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| 75th percentile | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| 90th percentile | $84,530 | $40.64 |
Highest-paying states for motorboat operators
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,250 | 330 |
| Illinois | $68,380 | 40 |
| Washington | $63,650 | 80 |
| New York | $62,000 | — |
| Texas | $50,270 | 270 |
| Michigan | $46,760 | — |
| Florida | $46,620 | 170 |
| Connecticut | $45,970 | — |
| Louisiana | $45,800 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $45,160 | — |
Lowest-paying states
- California: $34,570 median annual wage
- Tennessee: $42,360 median annual wage
- New Jersey: $44,150 median annual wage
- Massachusetts: $45,160 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $45,800 median annual wage
About this occupation
Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
Typical tasks
- Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.
- Clean boats and repair hulls and superstructures, using hand tools, paint, and brushes.
- Take depth soundings in turning basins.
- Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
- Perform general labor duties such as repairing booms.
- Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Postsecondary certificate
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 5.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 35.8% |
| Some college, no degree | 20.1% |
| Associate's degree | 8.0% |
| Bachelor's degree | 23.5% |
| Master's degree | 6.7% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.3% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.