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Marine Engineer Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for a marine engineer in the United States?
Our salary data comes from BLS.gov. Salary data above is the median annual wage.
Job Outlook & Work Environment
Job Outlook
🚀 10,100; estimated number of marine engineer jobs. It is estimated that 800 new jobs will be added by 2033.
☀️ The projected job outlook is expected to grow at a rate of 8% which is faster than the growth of the average career.
Work Environment
💼 Marine engineers work in various settings, including offices or even at sea. Many spend much of their time offshore or along the coast.
🏢 52% of marine engineers work in ship and boat building.
Marine Engineer Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries
How Does a Marine Engineer Salary Stack Up?
Patent attorneys are at the top of the salary ladder here, pulling in about $185,351 a year. Patent agents earn $130,168, which is quite a bit more than the $100,270 that marine engineers typically earn.
So, if you’re comparing paychecks, both patent attorneys and agents are out-earning marine engineers. A marine engineer can significantly increase their income by passing the patent bar exam and transitioning into a career in patent law.
Top Marine Engineer Salaries by Industry
Industry | Average Salary |
---|---|
Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $165,350 |
Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | $139,830 |
Management of Companies and Enterprises | $135,780 |
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals | $130,230 |
Federal, State, and Local Government | $121,760 |
Salary by Marine Engineer Industry
In the U.S., the average marine engineer salary is $100,270.
Marine engineers in the computer systems design and related services industry earn the highest average salary at $165,350. Those working in deep sea, coastal, and Great Lakes water transportation receive an average salary of $139,830. The management of companies and enterprises, local government (excluding schools and hospitals), and federal, state, and local government sectors offer average salaries of $135,780, $130,230, and $121,760, respectively.
Experience & Education
Here are some typical daily activities of a marine engineer:
- Evaluating Information for Compliance — Applying relevant information and personal judgment to assess whether events or processes adhere to laws, regulations, or standards.
- Gathering Information — Observing, receiving, and collecting data from all pertinent sources.
- Decision Making and Problem Solving — Analyzing information and assessing outcomes to select the most effective solutions for resolving problems.
- Drafting and Specifying Technical Details — Creating documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to guide others in the fabrication, construction, assembly, modification, maintenance, or use of devices, parts, equipment, or structures.
- Using Computers — Engaging with computer systems and software to program, develop applications, set up functions, input data, and process information.
Here are the typical skills you need to work as a marine engineer:
- Active Listening — Fully focusing on what others are saying, taking the time to understand their points, asking questions when necessary, and avoiding interruptions at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking — Employing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or methods.
- Reading Comprehension — Grasping the meaning of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Speaking — Communicating information effectively through conversation.
- Writing — Conveying ideas clearly and effectively in writing, tailored to the audience’s needs.
Knowledge required to work as a marine engineer:
- Engineering and Technology — Understanding the practical use of engineering science and technology, including the application of principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment for designing and producing various goods and services.
- Mathematics — Familiarity with arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their practical applications.
- Design — Proficiency in design techniques, tools, and principles used to create detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Physics — Comprehension and application of physical principles and laws, including their relationships, to understand fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, as well as mechanical, electrical, atomic, and sub-atomic structures and processes.
- English Language — Mastery of the structure and content of the English language, including word meanings, spelling, composition rules, and grammar.
Top Marine Engineer Salaries by Location
Factors that Impact Pay
Marine engineers in San Francisco, CA, earn the highest average salary at $156,570. Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, CA, follow with average salaries of $143,160 and $137,530, respectively. In Portland, OR, and Houston, TX, marine engineers receive average salaries of $123,250 and $123,060.
Marine engineers in the District of Columbia earn the highest average salary among the states listed, at $158,200. California and Maryland follow with average salaries of $129,180 and $127,360, respectively. In Texas and Kentucky, marine engineers receive average salaries of $125,760 and $118,350.
Take a look at the average marine engineer salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.
City | Average Salary |
---|---|
San Francisco, CA | $156,570 |
Washington, DC | $143,160 |
Los Angeles, CA | $137,530 |
Portland, OR | $123,250 |
Houston, TX | $123,060 |
Look at the average marine engineer salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.
State | Average Salary |
---|---|
District of Columbia | $158,200 |
California | $129,180 |
Maryland | $127,360 |
Texas | $125,760 |
Kentucky | $118,350 |
Related Careers
Patent Agent
Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.
Average of $130,168/year
Patent Attorney
Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.
Average of $185,351/year
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers plan and design tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment.
Average of $99,510/year