Ship Engineers earn a median of $109,530 per year ($52.66/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 2.7% through 2035, with about 900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 53-5031
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Ship Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $109,530a year, or $52.66/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $58KTop 10% $165K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.7%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 9008,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20258.8K
- Projected 20359K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 8.8K Projected 2035 9K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school3.1%
- High school48%
- Certificate23.9%
- Some college6.2%
- Bachelor's8.2%
- Post-bacc certificate10.8%
Highest education held by ship engineers Segment Value Less than high school 3.1% High school 48% Certificate 23.9% Some college 6.2% Bachelor's 8.2% Post-bacc certificate 10.8%
Also advertised as: Barge Engineer, Engineer, Ferry Engineer, Harbor Engineer, Port Engineer, Ship Engineer.
Pay
How much do Ship Engineers make?
Every ship engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$109,530
Middle half earn $82,130 to $135,760
- 10th
- $57,870
- 25th
- $82,130
- 75th
- $135,760
- 90th
- $165,490
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $57,870 |
| 25th | $82,130 |
| Median | $109,530 |
| 75th | $135,760 |
| 90th | $165,490 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $109,530
- Median hourly wage
- $52.66/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $111,790
- People employed
- 8,400
Versus all US occupations
At $109,530, Ship Engineers earn 115% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $58,550 a year.
Versus transportation and material moving occupations
Inside the Transportation and Material Moving group, where the middle occupation pays $62,840, this is 74% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $165,490 or more while the bottom 10% earn $57,870, a gap of 2.9×. 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
New York posts the highest raw median ($133,640), but once local prices are taken into account Kentucky leads at $133,708 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Ship Engineers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $133,640 | $123,831 | 550 |
| 2Hawaii | $131,640 | $119,726 | 70 |
| 3Florida | $130,480 | $126,172 | 1,260 |
| 4Texas | $127,810 | $131,686 | 660 |
| 5Massachusetts | $122,720 | $116,040 | 150 |
| 6Indiana | $122,190 | $130,924 | 210 |
| 7Kentucky | $120,550 | $133,708 | N/A |
| 8Rhode Island | $119,330 | $116,670 | 50 |
| 9Connecticut | $119,010 | $114,863 | 50 |
| 10New Jersey | $118,310 | $108,736 | 170 |
Job outlook
Is Ship Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Ship Engineers | +2.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Ship Engineers to change 2.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 900 openings are projected each year, 10.2% of the 8,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of water transportation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
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.
Fluctuations in the demand for bulk commodities, such as iron ore and grain, is a key factor influencing employment of water transportation workers. When demand for these commodities is high, the need for these workers increases; when demand slows, so does the need for workers.
Getting in
How to become a Ship Engineer
Education and training requirements for water transportation workers vary by occupation. There are no educational requirements for entry-level sailors and marine oilers, but other water transportation workers typically complete U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved training programs. Most water transportation jobs require the Transportation Worker Identification Credential from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and a Merchant Mariner Credential, plus related endorsements, from the Coast Guard.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some 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 ship engineers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)48%
- Post-Secondary Certificate23.9%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10.8%
- Bachelor's Degree8.2%
- Some College Courses6.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 48% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 23.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 10.8% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 8.2% |
| Some College Courses | 6.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Ship Engineer do?
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. The vessels travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean and to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country’s many inland waterways.
Day-to-day tasks
- Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean.
- Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
- Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
- Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
- Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
- Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most water transportation workers are full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules vary, depending on the job. Some crews, such as those on barges or deep-sea ships, may spend weeks or months away from home and work on board for long periods 7 days a week. Other workers, such as motorboat operators, may have day shifts from which they return home each night.
Some water transportation work is seasonal. For example, crews who work on the Great Lakes often do not work in the winter, when the lakes freeze. Ferry and motorboat operators who service ships for vacation destinations may work only in the summer.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
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 seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
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.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Listening3.6
- Monitoring3.6
- Speaking3.5
- Active Learning3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Writing3.0
- Learning Strategies2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.9
- Operation and Control3.9
- Equipment Maintenance3.8
- Troubleshooting3.8
- Repairing3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Systems Analysis3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Operation and Control | 3.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.8 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.8 |
| Repairing | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Document management software
- Enterprise application integration software
“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 Ship Engineer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Ship Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 5 |
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 organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.4
- Conventional4.9
- Enterprising3.7
- Investigative3.5
- Social1.8
- Artistic1.0
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 Ship Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Architecture and Engineering
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Production
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
More transportation and material moving careers
Median annual pay, with ship engineers highlighted
- Airline Pilot$232,140
- Commercial Pilot$123,220
- Ship Engineer$109,530
- Locomotive Engineer$81,410
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Crane and Tower Operator$68,080
- Flight Attendant$63,580
- Truck Driver$58,640
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$49,690
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $232,140 |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 |
| Ship Engineer | $109,530 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 |
| Truck Driver | $58,640 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Questions
Ship Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Ship Engineers make?
Ship Engineers earn a median of $109,530 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 115% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $52.66/hr. The middle half earn between $82,130 and $135,760. The top 10% earn $165,490 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Ship Engineer?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Ship Engineers. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 48.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Ship Engineer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.7% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Ship Engineer do?
Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. A core O*NET task: clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean. Employers most often ask for Customer relationship management CRM software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Ship Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Ship Engineers are New York ($133,640), Hawaii ($131,640), Florida ($130,480) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Kentucky moves to the top at $133,708.
What personality type suits a Ship Engineer?
O*NET scores Ship Engineers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.