Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
Also called: Marine Architect · Marine Design Engineer · Marine Engineer · Marine Engineering Consultant · Marine Structural Designer · Marine Surveyor
Median pay (national)
$105,670
$79,700–$167,660 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
8,440
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.8%
~600 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for marine engineers and naval architects shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $167,660 versus $79,700 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $105,670 leaves roughly 59% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.8% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 19 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $166,750, +58% vs the national median), while Georgia sits lowest at $77,970 — a 114% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Autodesk AutoCAD, McNeel Rhinoceros 3D, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Science
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
- Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
- Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.
- Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
- Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
- Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost and consistent with safety.
- Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems.
- Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel.
- Design layout of craft interior, including cargo space, passenger compartments, ladder wells, and elevators.
- Prepare, or direct the preparation of, product or system layouts and detailed drawings and schematics.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- McNeel Rhinoceros 3D
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- SAP software
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Zoom
- AeroHydro MultiSurf
- ANSYS AQWA
- ANSYS ASAS
- Ansys Fluent
- Autodesk Algor Simulation
- Bentley STAAD
- Creative System GHS
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Design
- English Language
- Transportation
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Building and Construction