Maritime Officer.
Atlanta.
$84,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$63,000 to $110,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
The median Maritime Officer salary in Atlanta is $84,000, 2% above the national average. Entry level starts near $63,000. Experienced professionals push past $110,000. Atlanta is a logistics and corporate powerhouse, home to Coca Cola, Delta, Home Depot, and UPS. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
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How Atlanta compares
Atlanta, GA
$84,000
Cost of living: 2% above average
National Average
$82,000
Atlanta is $2,000 above
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Maritime Officer roles in Atlanta, here is what you are walking into. Atlanta is a logistics and corporate powerhouse, home to Coca Cola, Delta, Home Depot, and UPS. The city's tech scene has expanded rapidly with major investments from Google, Microsoft, and a thriving fintech community. Atlanta offers strong salaries relative to its moderate cost of living, making it one of the best value metros for professionals. Vessel type, license grade, and trade route determine compensation. Officers on tankers and LNG carriers earn premiums over general cargo ships. Deep-sea international routes pay more than coastal or inland assignments, and unionized positions typically offer stronger wage scales.
Third mates and third engineers start at $55,000 to $62,000. Second officers advance to $70,000 to $85,000 with experience and additional endorsements. Chief mates earn $90,000 to $108,000, while masters and chief engineers on large vessels can reach $120,000 to $160,000. In Atlanta, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Maritime officers receive room and board while aboard, which effectively increases total compensation by $15,000 to $25,000 annually. Union contracts often include pension contributions, medical coverage, and paid leave rotations of equal time on and off. And on the tax side: georgia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.49%. Atlanta does not impose a separate city income tax, keeping the combined burden below most northeastern cities. When someone quotes you $84,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Mention Atlanta's role as a regional tech capital. Employers are investing heavily to retain talent against poaching from coastal firms offering remote positions. The range for Maritime Officers in Atlanta runs from $63,000 to $110,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Atlanta
Negotiating in Atlanta
Mention Atlanta's role as a regional tech capital. Employers are investing heavily to retain talent against poaching from coastal firms offering remote positions.