Engineers

How to become a Marine Engineer or Naval Architect

Official title: Marine Engineers and Naval Architects

Also called: Marine Architect, Marine Design Engineer, Marine Engineer, Marine Engineering Consultant, Marine Structural Designer, Marine Surveyor, Naval Architect, Naval Architect Specialist, Ship Equipment Engineer, Structural Engineer

Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.

Main tasks

Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.
Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost and consistent with safety.
Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems.
Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel.

How to become one

Marine engineers and naval architects typically need a bachelor's degree in marine engineering, naval architecture, or a related field.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Engineering degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
College: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 26 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 44 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $112,230 a year The middle half earn $99,250 to $137,690.
About 8,400 people work in this job now, and about 8,900 are projected by 2035. (+6.7%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Marine Engineer or Naval Architect?

Marine engineers and naval architects typically need a bachelor's degree in marine engineering, naval architecture, or a related field.

How much does a Marine Engineer or Naval Architect earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $112,230 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $99,250 to $137,690.

Is a Marine Engineer or Naval Architect a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 8,400 to about 8,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Marine Engineer or Naval Architect?

Usually. 76% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Marine Engineer or Naval Architect?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.