Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary
The median pay for a marine engineers and naval architects in District of Columbia is $172,330/year ($82.85/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $107K at the entry level to $195K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $158,275 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 21.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $172K get you in District of Columbia?
About marine engineers and naval architects
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for marine engineers and naval architects, local pay runs about 54% higher than the U.S. median of $112K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,146/month, 22.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Combined with manageable housing costs, District of Columbia offers a genuinely strong financial position for marine engineers and naval architectss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level marine engineers and naval architects (10th percentile) start around $107K. Mid-career wages sit at $172K. Top earners bring in $195K or more, a $88K spread from bottom to top.
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $160K | -7% | 710 |
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Track marine engineers and naval architects salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a marine engineers and naval architect afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $172K, rent takes 22.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for marine engineers and naval architects in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new marine engineers and naval architects typically earn — is $107K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,422/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 33% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is marine engineers and naval architect a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 54% above the national median — $172K here vs. $112K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for marine engineers and naval architects?
District of Columbia pays $172K median vs. the U.S. average of $112K — that’s +54%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $158K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do marine engineers and naval architects make in District of Columbia?
The median is $172,330 a year, that works out to about $83 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $107,030, and experienced marine engineers and naval architects can clear $195,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $172K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,728/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 22.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a marine engineers and naval architects salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median marine engineers and naval architects salary is worth about $158,275 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do marine engineers and naval architects get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.