Maritime Officer.
Phoenix.
$79,000
median salary, 4% below the national average
$60,000 to $104,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
A Maritime Officer in Phoenix earns a median of $79,000 in 2026. That is 4% below the national average. The range runs from $60,000 to $104,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Vessel type, license grade, and trade route determine compensation.
Salary range
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How Phoenix compares
Phoenix, AZ
$79,000
Cost of living: 4% below average
National Average
$82,000
Phoenix is $3,000 below
What you should know
Here is what the Maritime Officer market actually looks like in Phoenix. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing metros in the U.S., fueled by semiconductor manufacturing, financial services, and tech company expansions. Intel, TSMC, and other chipmakers have made massive investments in the area. The combination of affordable housing and rising salaries has made Phoenix increasingly attractive to relocating 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 Phoenix, 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: arizona has a flat 2.5% income tax rate, one of the lowest in the nation. Phoenix has no additional city income tax, making overall take home pay very competitive. When someone quotes you $79,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the influx of semiconductor and tech employers to justify higher offers. Phoenix salaries are rising fast, and employers know they must compete with coastal recruiters. The range for Maritime Officers in Phoenix runs from $60,000 to $104,000. 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 Phoenix
Negotiating in Phoenix
Reference the influx of semiconductor and tech employers to justify higher offers. Phoenix salaries are rising fast, and employers know they must compete with coastal recruiters.