With a national median of $112,230 and +5.8% projected job growth through 2034, Marine Engineers and Naval Architects offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
Also known as:
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects earn $112,230 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $99,250 and $137,690. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Well above average for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +5.8% employment change for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
About as fast as average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Marine Engineers and Naval Architects professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $112,230 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | 1,880 | $100,630 | -10.3% |
| 2 | Florida | 600 | $118,200 | +5.3% |
| 3 | Texas | 570 | $128,470 | +14.5% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 400 | $166,750 | +48.6% |
| 5 | Washington | 330 | $107,100 | -4.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Marine Engineers and Naval Architects positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naval & Marine Engineering | 390 | $114,055 | 15 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 4 | United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NY | 87 | $6,174 | $90,610 |
| 5 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA | 80 | $17,915 | $76,343 |
| 6 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA | 78 | $24,953 | $81,698 |
Once you've sized up Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Marine Engineers and Naval Architects pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Strong earnings and growing demand make Marine Engineers and Naval Architects a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
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