Maritime Officer.
Houston.
$80,000
median salary, 2% below the national average
$60,000 to $105,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
If you are evaluating a Maritime Officer offer in Houston, TX, here is the reality: $60,000 to $105,000, with $80,000 as the midpoint. 2% below the national average. Vessel type, license grade, and trade route determine compensation. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
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How Houston compares
Houston, TX
$80,000
Cost of living: 3% below average
National Average
$82,000
Houston is $2,000 below
What you should know
Here is what the Maritime Officer market actually looks like in Houston. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest, driving massive demand for clinical and research roles. Houston's low cost of living and no state income tax make it an attractive destination for professionals seeking strong purchasing power. 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 Houston, 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: texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers strong take home pay. The city's overall cost of living is below the national average, further stretching your salary. When someone quotes you $80,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates. The range for Maritime Officers in Houston runs from $60,000 to $105,000. 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 Houston
Negotiating in Houston
Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates.