The median pay for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects is $112,230 a year ($53.96/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 6.7% through 2035, with about 500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2121
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Marine Engineer and Naval Architect in four numbers
- Median pay
- $112,230a year, or $53.96/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $83KTop 10% $173K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.7%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5008,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20258.4K
- Projected 20358.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 8.4K Projected 2035 8.9K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school5.3%
- Certificate15.8%
- Some college10.5%
- Associate's5.3%
- Bachelor's52.6%
- Professional degree10.5%
Highest education held by marine engineers and naval architects Segment Value High school 5.3% Certificate 15.8% Some college 10.5% Associate's 5.3% Bachelor's 52.6% Professional degree 10.5%
Also advertised as: Marine Architect, Marine Design Engineer, Marine Engineer, Marine Engineering Consultant, Marine Structural Designer, Marine Surveyor.
Pay
How much do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make?
Every marine engineer and naval architect in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$112,230
Middle half earn $99,250 to $137,690
- 10th
- $83,010
- 25th
- $99,250
- 75th
- $137,690
- 90th
- $173,330
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $83,010 |
| 25th | $99,250 |
| Median | $112,230 |
| 75th | $137,690 |
| 90th | $173,330 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $112,230
- Median hourly wage
- $53.96/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $124,180
- People employed
- 8,250
Versus all US occupations
At $112,230, Marine Engineers and Naval Architects earn 120% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $61,250 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 8% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $173,330 or more while the bottom 10% earn $83,010, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 81% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($172,330), but once local prices are taken into account Texas leads at $157,413 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Marine Engineers and Naval Architects the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $172,330 | $156,805 | 490 |
| 2Texas | $152,780 | $157,413 | 330 |
| 3South Carolina | $136,990 | $146,124 | 40 |
| 4Florida | $130,640 | $126,327 | 370 |
| 5Maryland | $130,150 | $124,001 | 300 |
| 6Massachusetts | $114,640 | $108,399 | N/A |
| 7New York | $112,230 | $103,993 | 250 |
| 8California | $110,700 | $99,982 | 250 |
| 9Washington | $109,550 | $102,371 | 370 |
| 10Hawaii | $108,200 | $98,407 | 120 |
Job outlook
Is Marine Engineer and Naval Architect a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | +6.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects to change 6.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 500 openings are projected each year, 6.0% of the 8,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Marine engineers and naval architects are expected to be needed to help design ships and port facilities that meet increasingly strict international emissions standards.
Getting in
How to become a Marine Engineer and Naval Architect
Marine engineers and naval architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering, naval architecture, or a related field. Some marine engineering and naval architecture programs are offered at state maritime academies.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as marine engineers and naval architects.
- Bachelor's Degree52.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate15.8%
- Some College Courses10.5%
- First Professional Degree10.5%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)5.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 52.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 15.8% |
| Some College Courses | 10.5% |
| First Professional Degree | 10.5% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 5.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Marine Engineer and Naval Architect do?
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
- Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel.
- Evaluate performance of craft during dock and sea trials to determine design changes and conformance with national and international standards.
- Inspect marine equipment and machinery to draw up work requests and job specifications.
- Prepare plans, estimates, design and construction schedules, and contract specifications, including any special provisions.
- Determine conditions under which tests are to be conducted, as well as sequences and phases of test operations.
- Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.
- Evaluate operation of marine equipment during acceptance testing and shakedown cruises.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most marine engineers and naval architects work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules may vary. For example, marine engineers and naval architects who work at sea usually keep hours that are tied to the operation of the ship.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where marine engineers and naval architects work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Ship and boat building51%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services22%
- Federal government, excluding postal service13%
- Water transportation4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Ship and boat building | 51% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 22% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 13% |
| Water transportation | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Writing3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Mathematics3.6
- Science3.5
- Active Learning3.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.6 |
| Science | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Operations Monitoring3.5
- Time Management3.5
- Coordination3.4
- Quality Control Analysis3.4
- Systems Analysis3.4
- Systems Evaluation3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Time Management | 3.5 |
| Coordination | 3.4 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.4 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.4 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video conferencing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Marine Engineer and Naval Architect?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Marine Engineer and Naval Architect |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic5.7
- Investigative5.7
- Conventional4.3
- Enterprising3.3
- Artistic2.6
- Social1.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Marine Engineer and Naval Architect
O*NET related occupations
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Architecture and Engineering
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
$82,890median a year
Most earn $59K to $125K
+11.9%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician
$74,510median a year
Most earn $48K to $106K
+1.3%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
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More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with marine engineers and naval architects highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Marine Engineer and Naval Architect$112,230
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Marine Engineer and Naval Architect | $112,230 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within marine engineer and naval architect
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Marine Engineer and Naval Architect appears on
Questions
Marine Engineer and Naval Architect: frequently asked questions
How much do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make?
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects earn a median of $112,230 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 120% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $53.96/hr. The middle half earn between $99,250 and $137,690. The top 10% earn $173,330 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Marine Engineer and Naval Architect?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 52.6% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Marine Engineer and Naval Architect a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.7% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Marine Engineer and Naval Architect do?
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. A core O*NET task: maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Marine Engineers and Naval Architects the most?
The highest state medians for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects are District of Columbia ($172,330), Texas ($152,780), South Carolina ($136,990) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Texas moves to the top at $157,413.
What personality type suits a Marine Engineer and Naval Architect?
O*NET scores Marine Engineers and Naval Architects highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.