### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			marine engineers and naval architects imageMarine engineers and naval architects design and build  ships from sailboats to tankers.							
						Quick Facts:     Marine Engineers and Naval Architects2023     Median Pay
            						$100,270     per year
										$48.21     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    8,000Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    100What Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Do
                                                
                        
                        
Marine engineers and naval architects design, build, and maintain ships, from aircraft carriers to submarines and from sailboats to tankers.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Marine engineers and naval architects typically work in offices, where they have access to computer software and other tools necessary for analyzing projects and designing solutions. Sometimes, they must go to sea to test or maintain the ships that they have designed or built.
            
                                                How to Become a Marine Engineer or Naval Architect
                                                
                        
Marine engineers and naval architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering and naval architecture, respectively, or in a related field, such as engineering.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for marine engineers and naval architects was $100,270 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of marine engineers and naval architects is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 400 openings for marine engineers and naval architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for marine engineers and naval architects.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of marine engineers and naval architects with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about marine engineers and naval architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Do 
            

			Marine engineers and naval architectsMarine engineers and naval architects may work directly on ships.			
Marine engineers and naval architects design, build, and maintain ships, from aircraft carriers to submarines and from sailboats to tankers. Marine engineers are also known as *marine design engineers* or *marine mechanical engineers* and are responsible for the internal systems of a ship, such as the propulsion, electrical, refrigeration, and steering systems. Naval architects are responsible for the ship design, including the form, structure, and stability of hulls.
Duties
Marine engineers typically do the following:
Prepare system layouts and detailed drawings and schematics
Inspect marine equipment and machinery, and draw up work requests and job specifications
Conduct environmental, operational, or performance tests on marine machinery and equipment
Design and oversee the testing, installation, and repair of marine equipment
Investigate and test machinery and equipment to ensure compliance with standards
Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure that repairs and alterations are done safely and at minimal cost
Prepare technical reports for use by engineers, managers, or sales personnel
Prepare cost estimates, contract specifications, and design and construction schedules
Maintain contact with contractors to make sure that the work is being done correctly, on schedule, and within budgetNaval architects typically do the following:
Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of a ship, such as its size, weight, and speed
Develop sectional and waterline curves of the ship’s hull to establish the center of gravity, the ideal hull form, and data on buoyancy and stability
Design entire ship hulls and superstructures, following safety and regulatory standards
Design the complete layout of ships’ interiors, including spaces for machinery and auxiliary equipment, passenger compartments, cargo space, ladder wells, and elevators
Confer with marine engineers to design the layout of boiler room equipment, heating and ventilation systems, refrigeration equipment, electrical distribution systems, safety systems, steering systems, and propulsion machinery
Lead teams from a variety of specialties to oversee building and testing prototypes
Evaluate how ships perform during trials, both in the dock and at sea, and change designs as needed to make sure that national and international standards are metMarine engineers and naval architects apply knowledge from a range of engineering fields to the entire water vehicles’ design and production processes. Marine engineers also design and maintain offshore oil rigs and may work on alternative energy projects, such as wind turbines located offshore and tidal power.
Marine engineers and naval architects who work for ship and boat building firms design large ships, such as passenger ships and cargo ships, as well as small craft, such as inflatable boats and rowboats. Those who work in the federal government may design or test the designs of ships or systems for the Army, Navy, or Coast Guard.
Marine engineers should not be confused with ship engineers, who operate or supervise the operation of the machinery on a ship. For more information on ship engineers, see the profile on water transportation workers.
 Work Environment
			Marine engineers and naval architectsMarine engineers and naval architects design and oversee testing, installation, and repair of marine apparatus and equipment.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Marine engineers and naval architects held about 8,000 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of marine engineers and naval architects were as follows:
        Professional, scientific, and technical services
                42%Ship and boat building
                27Federal government, excluding postal service
                15Marine engineers and naval architects typically work in offices, where they have access to computer software and other tools necessary for analyzing projects and designing solutions. Sometimes, they must go to sea to test or maintain the ships that they have designed or built.
Marine engineers and naval architects who work on power generation projects, such as offshore wind turbines and tidal power, work along the coast—both offshore and on land. They also sometimes work on oil rigs, where they oversee the repair or maintenance of systems that they may have designed.
Naval architects often lead teams to create feasible designs, and they must effectively use the skills that each person brings to the design process.
Work Schedules
Most marine engineers and naval architects work full time and some work more than 40 hours per week. Marine engineers who work at sea will work a schedule tied to the operations of their particular ship. Those who work onshore will have somewhat more regular work schedules. Naval architects, and marine engineers who are engaged primarily in design, are much more likely to work a regular schedule in an office or at a shipyard.
 How to Become a Marine Engineer or Naval Architect

			Marine engineers and naval architectsMarine engineers and naval architects must give clear instructions and explain complex concepts when leading projects.			
Marine engineers and naval architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering and naval architecture, respectively, or a related field, such as engineering. Some marine engineering and naval architecture programs are offered at state maritime academies.
Education
High school students interested in becoming a marine engineer or naval architect should take classes in math, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; and science, such as chemistry and physics. If available, drafting courses may be helpful for aspiring naval architects.
College students interested in this occupation typically pursue a degree in an engineering field. Programs in marine engineering and naval architecture usually include courses in computer-aided design, fluid mechanics, ship hull strength, and mechanics of materials. Most programs also include time at sea, during which students gain hands-on experience on a vessel.
Some marine engineering and naval architecture programs are offered at state maritime academies. Students studying at the maritime academies spend time at sea, usually during the summer, to gain onboard operating experience. For more information about state maritime academies, visit the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Employers may prefer to hire candidates who graduate from a program accredited by a professional association such as ABET.

Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Marine engineers and naval architects must give clear instructions and explain complex concepts when leading projects.
***Ingenuity.*** Marine engineers and naval architects must use operations analysis to create a design to perform the ship’s functions. They then employ critical-thinking skills to anticipate and correct any deficiencies before the ship is built or set to sea.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Marine engineers and naval architects meet with clients to analyze their needs for ship systems. Engineers must discuss progress with clients to keep redesign options open before the project is too far along.
***Math skills.*** Marine engineers and naval architects use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Marine engineers must design several systems that work well together in ships. Naval architects and marine engineers are expected to solve problems for their clients. They must draw on their knowledge and experience to make effective decisions.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Along with earning a bachelor’s degree, students at states’ maritime academies take exams for licensure from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Another type of engineering license is the Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence and can be acquired later in one’s career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires
A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Relevant work experience, typically at least 4 years
A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) examThe initial FE exam can be taken after earning a bachelor’s degree. Engineers who pass this exam are commonly called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After meeting work experience requirements, EITs and EIs can take the second exam, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE).
Other Experience
Employers also value practical experience, so cooperative education programs and internships, which provide college credit or structured job experience, can be helpful in getting a job in this occupation.
Advancement
Beginning marine engineers usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers. In larger companies, new engineers also may receive formal training in classrooms or seminars. As beginning engineers gain knowledge and experience, they move on to more difficult projects, on which they have greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions.
Eventually, marine engineers may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Some may even become engineering managers or move into other managerial positions or sales work. In sales, an engineering background enables them to discuss technical aspects of certain kinds of engineering projects. Such knowledge is also useful in assisting clients in project planning, installation, and use. For more information, see the profiles on architectural and engineering managers and sales managers.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Marine Engineers and Naval ArchitectsMedian annual wages, May 2023Engineers$102,660  Marine engineers and naval architects$100,270  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for marine engineers and naval architects was $100,270 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $76,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $156,630.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for marine engineers and naval architects in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Federal government, excluding postal service
                $113,190Professional, scientific, and technical services
                104,020Ship and boat building
                96,570Most marine engineers and naval architects work full time and some work more than 40 hours per week. Marine engineers who work at sea will work a schedule tied to the operations of their particular ship. Those who work onshore will have somewhat more regular work schedules. Naval architects, and marine engineers who are engaged primarily in design, are much more likely to work a regular schedule in an office or at a shipyard.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Marine Engineers and Naval ArchitectsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Engineers7%  Total, all occupations3%  Marine engineers and naval architects1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of marine engineers and naval architects is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 400 openings for marine engineers and naval architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most 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.
			Employment
	
			
Marine engineers and naval architects are expected to be needed to help design ships and port facilities that meet increasingly strict international emissions standards. In addition, as offshore wind energy projects become more feasible, marine engineers and naval architects are expected to be needed to provide expertise for the construction of wind platforms.
			

                        Employment projections data for     marine engineers and naval architects, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Marine engineers and naval architects**
			17-2121
			8,000
			8,100
			1
			100
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Marine engineers and naval architects **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of marine engineers and naval architects. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Aerospace Engineers**
            Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.
            Bachelor's degree
            $130,720**Electrical and Electronics Engineers**
            Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.
            Bachelor's degree
            $109,010**Mechanical Engineers**
            Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,510**Petroleum Engineers**
            Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface.
            Bachelor's degree
            $135,690
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about marine engineers and naval architects, visit
Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association
American Society of Naval Engineers
For more information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education
Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation
Technology Student Association
For more information about accredited engineering programs, visit
ABET

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/marine-engineers-and-naval-architects.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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