53 Series · SOC 53-5022
Motorboat Operators Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $47,520
- Median / year
- $84,530
- Top 10% earn
- +1.4%
- Growth '23–'33
- 2,480
- US workers
Motorboat Operators earn a median of $47,520 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $47,520, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $34,510 (10th percentile) to $84,530 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 2,480 US workers. Hawaii pays the most ($76,250), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Motorboat Operators earn a median of $47,520, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 26% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Transportation and Material Moving, it ranks #31 of 50 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 1.4% by 2033.
- $47,520
- Median annual wage
- Top 74%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #31 of 50
- in Transportation and Material Moving
- 2.4×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Hawaii at $76,250. Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Motorboat Operators (SOC 53-5022) pays a national median of $47,520 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $34,510 at the 10th percentile to $84,530 at the 90th, with a mean of $56,270 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 2,480 Americans work in this occupation across 14 reporting states and 17 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.4% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 300 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Postsecondary nondegree award, with less than 5 years of prior experience generally required. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of C for this role, with a fatality rate of 17.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 4.8 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Hawaii pays the highest state median at $76,250, which is +60% above the national figure. The top metro is Kahului-Wailuku, HI at $83,390 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$47,520
per year
Median Hourly
$22.85/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$56,270
average
Employment
2,480
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Motorboat Operators pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$47,520 Bottom 26% higher than 26% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 53-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Motorboat Operators; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Motorboat Operators sits on the slower-growing side at +1.4% growth and $47,520 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+1.4%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
300
per year (projected)
Typical Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Work Experience
Less than 5 years
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Moderate Risk
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
17.5/100K
Injury Rate
4.8/100
Danger Index
28/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Motorboat Operators roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
- ▸ Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
- ▸ Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
- ▸ Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
- ▸ Organize and direct the activities of crew members.
- ▸ Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
- ▸ Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
- ▸ Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.
- ▸ Oversee operation of vessels used for carrying passengers, motor vehicles, or goods across rivers, harbors, lakes, and coastal waters.
- ▸ Service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$34,510
25th Percentile
$42,760
Median
$47,520
75th Percentile
$69,010
90th Percentile
$84,530
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 14 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $76,250 | +60% above national |
| 2 | Illinois | $68,380 | +44% above national |
| 3 | Washington | $63,650 | +34% above national |
| 4 | New York | $62,000 | +30% above national |
| 5 | Texas | $50,270 | +6% above national |
| 6 | Michigan | $46,760 | 2% below national |
| 7 | Florida | $46,620 | 2% below national |
| 8 | Connecticut | $45,970 | 3% below national |
| 9 | Louisiana | $45,800 | 4% below national |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $45,160 | 5% below national |
| 11 | New Jersey | $44,150 | 7% below national |
| 12 | Tennessee | $42,360 | 11% below national |
| 13 | California | $34,570 | 27% below national |
| 14 | Puerto Rico | $26,630 | 44% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 17 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $83,390 | +75% above national |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $81,440 | +71% above national |
| 3 | Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $67,780 | +43% above national |
| 4 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $62,000 | +30% above national |
| 5 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $60,920 | +28% above national |
| 6 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,970 | +26% above national |
| 7 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $50,270 | +6% above national |
| 8 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $49,230 | +4% above national |
| 9 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $47,260 | 1% below national |
| 10 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $45,970 | 3% below national |
| 11 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $45,760 | 4% below national |
| 12 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $45,760 | 4% below national |
| 13 | Barnstable Town, MA | $45,160 | 5% below national |
| 14 | Corpus Christi, TX | $43,230 | 9% below national |
| 15 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $42,360 | 11% below national |
| 16 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $34,510 | 27% below national |
| 17 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $26,630 | 44% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 53 (transportation and material moving) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What education do you need to become a Motorboat Operators? ▼
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Is Motorboat Operators a good career? ▼
How does Motorboat Operators pay vary by state? ▼
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What to do with this data
How to use Motorboat Operators pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $69,010/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Hawaii leads at $76,250/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.