Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary by state
Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.
Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
Top skills:Critical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects pay by experience level
Entry level$86,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$102,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$116,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$142,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$179,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+5.8%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
600
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary by industry
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
4,220 workers
$118,500
Ship and Boat Building
4,220 workers
$118,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
1,810 workers
$135,500
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
1,290 workers
$133,500
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
1,100 workers
$136,000
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
1,030 workers
$136,500
Support Activities for Transportation
560 workers
$165,500
Support Activities for Water Transportation
520 workers
$167,500
Water Transportation
310 workers
$129,500
Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation
250 workers
$132,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects pays 19% above the average across 59 roles in the Architecture and Engineering job family (family average $108,000).
Similar-paying roles in Architecture and Engineering
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Marine Engineers and Naval Architects make?
The average base salary for a Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in the United States is $128,500 per year, or about $61.78 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $103,000 and $142,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Architecture and Engineering roles?
The Architecture and Engineering job family averages $108,000 across 59 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Marine Engineers and Naval Architects pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
