How much does a motorboat operator make?
The median motorboat operator in the United States earns $47,520 per year, about $22.85 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all motorboat operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-5022.
Motorboat operator salary range
Pay for motorboat operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,510 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $84,530. The average (mean) wage of $56,270 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,510 | $16.59 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $42,760 | $20.56 | |
| Median (50th) | $47,520 | $22.85 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $69,010 | $33.18 | |
| 90th percentile | $84,530 | $40.64 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for motorboat operators (SOC 53-5022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Motorboat operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Motorboat operators earn the most in Hawaii at $76,250 a year, and the least in California at $34,570. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,250 | 330 |
| Illinois | $68,380 | 40 |
| Washington | $63,650 | 80 |
| New York | $62,000 | N/A |
| Texas | $50,270 | 270 |
| Michigan | $46,760 | N/A |
| Florida | $46,620 | 170 |
| Connecticut | $45,970 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $45,800 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $45,160 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $44,150 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $42,360 | 60 |
| California | $34,570 | 190 |
State median wages for motorboat operators (SOC 53-5022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for motorboat operators
The BLS projects employment of motorboat operators to grow 4.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 2,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 2,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for motorboat operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a motorboat operator
The typical entry-level education for motorboat operators is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a motorboat operator earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $76,250) and the lowest (California, $34,570) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 2,480 people work as motorboat operators in the United States. At $47,520 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Motorboat operator salary FAQ
How much does a motorboat operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a motorboat operator is $22.85. The middle half of motorboat operators earn between $20.56 and $33.18 per hour.
What is the highest motorboat operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of motorboat operators earn more than $84,530 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a motorboat operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a motorboat operator is $47,520. The average (mean) wage of $56,270 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a motorboat operator a well paid job?
At $47,520 a year, a motorboat operator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 2,480 people work as motorboat operators in the United States.
Which state pays motorboat operators the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for motorboat operators at $76,250 a year. Illinois ($68,380) and Washington ($63,650) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a motorboat operator a good career?
Employment of motorboat operators is projected to grow 4.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a motorboat operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for motorboat operators as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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