Ship Engineers
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Also called: Barge Engineer, Deck Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Watch Officer, Equipment Maintenance Marine Engineer, Equipment Operating Engineer
Median pay
$109,530
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$57,870 – $165,490
People employed
8,400
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 4.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
Ship Engineers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (24 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What ship engineers do
- 01Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- 02Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
- 03Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
- 04Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
- 05Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- 06Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from ship engineers
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians93% · group pay
- Power Plant Operators79% · −7%
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay79% · −6%
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers79% · 0%
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators79% · −28%
Change into ship engineers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians87% · $102,040
- Commercial Divers86% · $72,990
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians85% · $79,870
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians84% · $57,550
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists83% · $61,770
Majors that lead here
- Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.