Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Career, Salary and Skills
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $112,230 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 8,250. Wage data is published for 28 locations.
Occupation description
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
O*NET code
17-2121.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$112,230
Hourly median
$53.96
Employment
8,250
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$83,010
10th
$99,250
25th
$112,230
Median
$137,690
75th
$173,330
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.12 | 4.38 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.12 | 4.38 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.88 | 4.50 |
| Writing | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Mathematics | 3.62 | 4.25 |
| Science | 3.50 | 4.12 |
| Active Learning | 3.50 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
Technology
- Adobe Acrobat
- AeroHydro MultiSurf
- ANSYS AQWA
- ANSYS ASAS
- Ansys Fluent
- Autodesk Algor Simulation
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bentley STAAD
- Creative System GHS
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Herbert Software Solutions HECSALV
- HydroComp NavCad
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- Intergraph SmartMarine 3D
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in Washington, DCMedian $159,700 · Employment 710
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in DCMedian $172,330 · Employment 490
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in WAMedian $109,550 · Employment 370
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in FLMedian $130,640 · Employment 370
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in TXMedian $152,780 · Employment 330
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in MDMedian $130,150 · Employment 300
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in MEMedian $100,430 · Employment 260
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in CAMedian $110,700 · Employment 250
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in NYMedian $112,230 · Employment 250
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in Portland, MEMedian $104,850 · Employment 230
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in Bremerton, WAMedian $106,250 · Employment 180
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in Seattle, WAMedian $128,610 · Employment 150
Related careers
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- Environmental Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $59,920
- Architectural and Engineering ManagersNational median $171,270
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, GeneralNational median $49,590
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansNational median $79,870
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentNational median $74,090
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and TechniciansNational median $73,900
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersNational median $65,380
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.