Designs structures and systems that work in the ocean, from offshore platforms, wind turbine foundations and subsea equipment to breakwaters and underwater vehicles. BLS does not publish separate figures for marine engineers and naval architects; it counts them within marine engineer and naval architect (SOC 17-2121), whose median pay is $112,230 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2121
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Ocean Engineer 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: Offshore Engineer, Subsea Engineer, Ocean Systems Engineer, Marine Renewable Energy Engineer.
Pay
How much do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make?
Every ocean engineer 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 Ocean Engineer 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.
Getting in
How to become an Ocean Engineer
Ocean engineers typically earn a bachelor's degree in ocean engineering from an ABET-accredited program, such as those at Texas A&M, Florida Atlantic University or the University of Rhode Island, or in civil or mechanical engineering with ocean-focused coursework. Many go on to a master's degree in coastal, offshore or ocean systems engineering.
A Professional Engineer license, earned after passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and PE exams and gaining supervised experience, is important for coastal and structural roles. The Marine Technology Society and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers offer student sections, conferences and networking.
- 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 an Ocean Engineer do?
Ocean engineers design things that must survive waves, currents, corrosion and pressure. They work on offshore oil and gas platforms, floating and fixed offshore wind foundations, subsea pipelines and cables, mooring systems, ports, breakwaters and coastal protection.
Others design ocean instruments, buoys, autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles, or wave and tidal energy devices. Daily work involves calculating wave and current loads, running computer simulations, testing scale models in wave tanks, writing specifications, and overseeing construction and installation offshore. Ocean engineers work closely with naval architects, geotechnical engineers, oceanographers and marine contractors.
Day-to-day tasks
- Calculate wave, current and wind loads on marine structures
- Design offshore foundations, moorings and subsea systems
- Run hydrodynamic and structural simulations
- Test scale models in wave tanks and flumes
- Design coastal protection such as breakwaters and seawalls
- Develop underwater vehicles and ocean instruments
- Oversee installation and inspection of offshore equipment
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Ocean engineers work mostly in offices and labs, with periodic trips to ports, construction sites and offshore installations. Offshore work can involve days on vessels or platforms and requires safety training. Employers include engineering consultancies, offshore energy companies, defense contractors, government agencies and research institutions.
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
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.
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 an Ocean Engineer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RIC) built on O*NET's Marine Engineer and Naval Architect profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Ocean Engineer |
|---|---|
| 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.
- Realistic5.8
- Investigative5.7
- Conventional4.5
- 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 Ocean Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- 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
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Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician
$74,510median a year
Most earn $48K to $106K
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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
- Ocean Engineer$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 |
| Ocean Engineer | $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
Questions
Ocean Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for marine engineers and naval architects. It counts them within marine engineer and naval architect, whose median pay is $112,230 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $99,250 and $137,690, and the top 10% earn $173,330 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Ocean Engineer?
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 Ocean Engineer 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 an Ocean Engineer do?
Ocean engineers design things that must survive waves, currents, corrosion and pressure. A typical task: calculate wave, current and wind loads on marine structures. 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 an Ocean Engineer?
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, ISTP, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.