Ship Captain
Command and navigate ships, tugs and ferries on oceans, rivers and lakes.
- $92,460
- Years of sea time and credentials
Transportation & Logistics career
Ship Engineer
Also called: Marine Engineer · Engineering Officer · Chief Engineer · Assistant Engineer
What ship engineers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a ship engineer do?
Ship engineers supervise and coordinate the activities of crew in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery and electrical, sanitary and refrigeration equipment aboard ships. The median pay is $109,530 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Years of sea time and credentials, and employment is projected to grow +2.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$109,530$52.66/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.7%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS classification
- Time to trainYears of sea time and credentialsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs8,800Employment, 2025
What ship engineers do
Ship engineers keep vessels powered. They operate and maintain main engines, generators, boilers, pumps, refrigeration and electrical systems, stand engine room watches, troubleshoot breakdowns at sea and supervise engine crew.
A postsecondary maritime program and Coast Guard engineering license are typical. BLS projects about average growth, and pay is strong.
Typical duties
- Operate main engines
- Maintain generators
- Repair pumps and boilers
- Stand engine watches
- Troubleshoot breakdowns
- Supervise engine crew
- Keep logs
Work environment and schedule
Engineers work in hot, loud engine rooms aboard vessels.
Schedule: Rotations of weeks on and off are common.
A day in the life
- Engine room watch.
- Hand off.
- Check fuel systems.
- Overhaul a pump.
See a full day in the life of a ship engineer →
Ship Engineer salary
Half of ship engineers earned more than $109,530 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $57,870 for the lowest 10% to $165,490 for the top 10%.
Full ship engineer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a ship engineer
- Attend a maritime academy or start as an oiler
- Earn sea time
- Pass Coast Guard exams
- Work as an assistant engineer
- Upgrade to chief
A maritime academy degree or postsecondary program plus a Coast Guard engineering license is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a ship engineer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Diesel engines
- Electrical systems
- Pumps and piping
- Boilers
- Refrigeration
People skills
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Calm under pressure
- Teamwork
All ship engineer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong pay
- Long time off
- Technical challenge
- Leadership
Cons
- Weeks away
- Heat and noise
- Emergencies at sea
- Long training
Certifications and licenses
- USCG engineer license: Required.
- STCW certificates: International.
- TWIC: Port access.
- QMED: Rating for engine crew.
Career path
- Oiler or Cadet: Entry.
- Third Assistant Engineer: Officer.
- First Assistant Engineer: Senior.
- Chief Engineer: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Ship Engineer training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as stand an engine room watch and troubleshoot a generator at sea, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Diesel Mechanic
Diagnose and repair trucks, buses and diesel-powered equipment.
- $61,770
- 6–24 months
Marine Mechanic
Repair and maintain boat engines, motors and onboard systems.
- $57,550
- 1–2 years of training
Deckhand
Work aboard tugboats, barges, ferries and ships handling lines, cargo and maintenance.
- $51,520
- 1–4 weeks
Compare: Ship Engineer vs. Ship Captain · Ship Engineer vs. Diesel Mechanic · Ship Engineer vs. Marine Mechanic · Ship Engineer vs. Deckhand
Ship Engineer FAQ
How do you become a ship engineer?
Maritime academy or working up from oiler, plus Coast Guard licenses.
Is pay good?
Yes, BLS reports strong median pay.
Are rotations long?
Often weeks at a time.
How much does a ship engineer make?
The median annual wage for ship engineers was $109,530 ($52.66 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $57,870 and the highest 10% earned more than $165,490.
How long does it take to become a ship engineer?
Most people need about Years of sea time and credentials of training. A maritime academy degree or postsecondary program plus a Coast Guard engineering license is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a ship engineer?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education.
More ship engineer questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-5031 (Ship engineers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Ship engineers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.