How much does a marine engineer and naval architect make?
The median marine engineer and naval architect in the United States earns $112,230 per year, about $53.96 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all marine engineers and naval architects earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-2121.
Marine engineer and naval architect salary range
Pay for marine engineers and naval architects spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $83,010 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $173,330. The average (mean) wage of $124,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,010 | $39.91 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $99,250 | $47.71 | |
| Median (50th) | $112,230 | $53.96 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $137,690 | $66.20 | |
| 90th percentile | $173,330 | $83.33 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for marine engineers and naval architects (SOC 17-2121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Marine engineer and naval architect salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Marine engineers and naval architects earn the most in District of Columbia at $172,330 a year, and the least in Michigan at $76,210. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $172,330 | 490 |
| Texas | $152,780 | 330 |
| South Carolina | $136,990 | 40 |
| Florida | $130,640 | 370 |
| Maryland | $130,150 | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $114,640 | N/A |
| New York | $112,230 | 250 |
| California | $110,700 | 250 |
| Washington | $109,550 | 370 |
| Hawaii | $108,200 | 120 |
| Maine | $100,430 | 260 |
| Georgia | $97,770 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $97,060 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $78,850 | 80 |
| Michigan | $76,210 | N/A |
State median wages for marine engineers and naval architects (SOC 17-2121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for marine engineers and naval architects
The BLS projects employment of marine engineers and naval architects to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 8,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 8,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 500 openings a year for marine engineers and naval architects. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a marine engineer and naval architect
The typical entry-level education for marine engineers and naval architects is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a marine engineer and naval architect earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $172,330) and the lowest (Michigan, $76,210) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,250 people work as marine engineers and naval architects in the United States. At $112,230 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Marine engineer and naval architect salary FAQ
How much does a marine engineer and naval architect make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a marine engineer and naval architect is $53.96. The middle half of marine engineers and naval architects earn between $47.71 and $66.20 per hour.
What is the highest marine engineer and naval architect salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of marine engineers and naval architects earn more than $173,330 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a marine engineer and naval architect make a year?
The median annual salary for a marine engineer and naval architect is $112,230. The average (mean) wage of $124,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a marine engineer and naval architect a well paid job?
At $112,230 a year, a marine engineer and naval architect earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,250 people work as marine engineers and naval architects in the United States.
Which state pays marine engineers and naval architects the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for marine engineers and naval architects at $172,330 a year. Texas ($152,780) and South Carolina ($136,990) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a marine engineer and naval architect a good career?
Employment of marine engineers and naval architects is projected to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a marine engineer and naval architect?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for marine engineers and naval architects as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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