# Marine Engineers and Naval Architects

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/marine-engineers-and-naval-architects
- SOC code: 17-2121.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $112,230 (10th percentile $83,010, 90th percentile $173,330)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.7%
- Openings a year: 500
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 79 |
| Investigative (I) | 79 |
| Artistic (A) | 27 |
| Social (S) | 5 |
| Enterprising (E) | 38 |
| Conventional (C) | 55 |

## What you'd do

- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 81/100)
- Getting Information (importance 81/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 78/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 77/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 75/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 75/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 74/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 71/100)
- Processing Information (importance 71/100)
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking, Writing, Mathematics, Active Learning, Operations Monitoring

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Mechanical, Design, English Language, Transportation, Mathematics, Physics, Building and Construction, Computers and Electronics, Education and Training

## Also called

Architect Specialist, Automation Engineer, Boat Designer, Consulting Marine Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Specialist, Marine Architect, Marine Civil Engineer, Marine Consultant, Marine Design Engineer

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (CIP 1422, 16 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Maine Maritime Academy](https://www.collegesref.com/college/maine-maritime-academy-1574) | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | $124,997 | $137,352 | $27,000 |
| [Massachusetts Maritime Academy](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-maritime-academy-1616) | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | $124,902 | $125,016 | $26,000 |
| [SUNY Maritime College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/suny-maritime-college-2656) | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | $96,268 | $106,186 | $26,500 |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | not reported | $94,569 | $19,500 |
| [Webb Institute](https://www.collegesref.com/college/webb-institute-3184) | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | not reported | $92,972 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Ship Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/ship-engineers): $109,530 median pay
- [Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aerospace-engineering-and-operations-technologists-and-technicians): $82,890 median pay
- [Aerospace Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aerospace-engineers): $134,960 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $74,510 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineers): $104,110 median pay
- [Industrial Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-engineers): $102,440 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.