Career comparison
Marine Engineer vs. Ship Engineer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Marine engineers earn more at the median ($112,230 vs. $109,530), while marine engineers usually get to work faster (4-year engineering degree of training). Marine engineers design ships, submarines and offshore structures. Ship engineers run and repair the engines and systems that power ships.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Marine Engineer | Ship Engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $112,230 ($53.96/hr) | $109,530 ($52.66/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $83,010 – $173,330 | $57,870 – $165,490 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.7% (faster than average) | +2.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 500 | 900 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 4-year engineering degree | Years of sea time and credentials |
| Key credential | PE license | USCG engineer license |
| Work setting | Marine engineers work in offices, shipyards and at sea.. | Engineers work in hot, loud engine rooms aboard vessels.. |
What each job does
Marine Engineer
- Design hulls
- Calculate stability
- Design propulsion systems
- Design onboard systems
- Oversee construction
Ship Engineer
- Operate main engines
- Maintain generators
- Repair pumps and boilers
- Stand engine watches
- Troubleshoot breakdowns
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, problem-solving, travel, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and transportation & logistics, but share transferable skills such as problem-solving and problem-solving.
Which should you choose?
Choose marine engineer if…
- I love ships
- I like physics and math
- I like big projects
Choose ship engineer if…
- I love engines
- I solve problems
- I can be away for weeks
Still torn? Take the Marine Engineer fit quiz and the Ship Engineer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, marine engineer or ship engineer?
Marine Engineers earn more at the median: $112,230 versus $109,530 for ship engineers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Marine Engineers typically train faster (4-year engineering degree) than ship engineers (Years of sea time and credentials).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects marine engineers to grow +6.7% from 2025–35, compared with +2.7% for ship engineers.