Ship Engineers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Ship Engineers fall under the Transportation and Material Moving category in the U.S. occupational classification. Ship Engineers earn a median salary of $101,320 per year, ranking in the top 12% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1.6% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do ship engineers earn?

The median annual wage for ship engineers is $101,320. That puts ship engineers at #100 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is ship engineers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for ship engineers is +1.6%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 8K positions in 2024 to 9K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do ship engineers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working ship engineers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
2. 2.Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
3. 3.Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
4. 4.Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
5. 5.Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
6. 6.Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.
7. 7.Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
8. 8.Operate or maintain off-loading liquid pumps or valves.

Top skills for ship engineers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become ship engineer?

Many ship engineers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
  $226,600 median
• Air Traffic Controllers
  $144,580 median
• Commercial Pilots
  $122,670 median
• Transportation Inspectors
  $85,750 median
• Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
  $85,540 median
• Subway and Streetcar Operators
  $84,830 median

Common questions parents ask about ship engineers