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Marine Engineer Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for a marine engineer in the United States?
$100,270 per year
According to BLS.gov, the average salary for a marine engineer in the United States is $100,270 annually. The lowest salary is $76,860 annually, and the highest is $156,630 annually.
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.
Average Education
Nearly all marine engineers have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. While we don’t have a detailed breakdown of the statistics, we estimate that 80% of all marine engineers have a Bachelor’s degree or above.
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