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
SOC: 17-2121 O*NET: 17-2121.00
Median Salary
$105,670
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.8%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
What does a Marine Engineers and Naval Architects do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$79,700
10th percentile
Early Career
$88,480
25th percentile
Median
$105,670
50th percentile
Experienced
$133,780
75th percentile
Top Earners
$167,660
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$79,700
25th
$88,480
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$105,670
Mean: $116,680
75th
$133,780
90th
$167,660
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $87,960 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $88,480 and $133,780
- •Salary spread is 42.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 8,440 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:8,500
Top Industries
Manufacturing52.5%
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing52.3%
Ship and Boat Building52.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.8%
Annual Openings:600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)8,500
Current
2034 (Projected)9,000
+5.8%
+500
Employment Change
+5.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Marine Engineers and Naval Architects professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 20 locations
Virginia
1,880 jobs$100,6308.44x
Florida
600 jobs$118,2001.12x
Texas
570 jobs$128,4700.75x
District of Columbia
400 jobs$166,75010.24x
Washington
330 jobs$107,1001.72x
Maryland
320 jobs$121,8902.15x
Maine
310 jobs$99,3309.03x
Pennsylvania
270 jobs$00.81x
California
200 jobs$128,7500.21x
Hawaii
110 jobs$102,1903.30x
Mississippi
90 jobs$99,1301.35x
South Carolina
80 jobs$119,9900.66x
Louisiana
80 jobs$106,5000.78x
Wisconsin
80 jobs$78,9500.52x
Georgia
80 jobs$77,9700.31x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Complex Problem Solving
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Mathematics
54%
#9
Operations Monitoring
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Complex Problem Solving
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Mathematics
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Mathematics
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Operations Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Statisticians82%
5 shared skills
Budget Analysts82%
5 shared skills
Cost Estimators82%
5 shared skills
Environmental Economists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Mathematics
- →Writing
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
The MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechZoom
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (7)Management & Supervision (3)Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Analysis & Evaluation (1)General Responsibilities (3)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Supervise other engineers and crew members and train them for routine and emergency duties.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Oversee construction and testing of prototype in model basin and develop sectional and waterline curves of hull to establish center of gravity, ideal hull form, and buoyancy and stability data.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Evaluate performance of craft during dock and sea trials to determine design changes and conformance with national and international standards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Prepare plans, estimates, design and construction schedules, and contract specifications, including any special provisions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Design layout of craft interior, including cargo space, passenger compartments, ladder wells, and elevators.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Evaluate operation of marine equipment during acceptance testing and shakedown cruises.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.47
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.47
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.33
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.06
Analytical Thinking
ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level3.94
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.84
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.1
Analytical Thinking
3.9
Self-Control
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Persistence
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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