Operate, maintain, and repair a ship's engines, generators, pumps, electrical systems, and other machinery.
You may also see this posted as: Engineer, Ferry Engineer, Port Engineer, Tug Boat Engineer, Barge Engineer, Harbor Engineer.
Engine rooms and machinery spaces aboard cargo, passenger, research, or government vessels.
Extended time at sea and rotating watches; long periods away from home.
Realistic
working with tools, equipment, materials, or the physical world
Conventional
organizing information, following systems, and getting details right
Enterprising
leading, persuading, selling, or turning an idea into action
O*NET job zone 3 of 5
Medium preparation—often vocational training, an associate degree, or substantial experience—is usually needed.
Examples employers report—not a checklist you must already know.
May 2025 BLS wage & employment data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
Statewide medians are a better starting point than the national number. Your city and experience still matter.
Certificate program
Training path: Maritime program or sea-time route plus a Coast Guard credential.
Related work experience: Less than 5 years.
On-the-job training: None.
Most roles require a Merchant Mariner Credential and Coast Guard engineering endorsement.
Licensing rules and available programs change by state. These federal tools take you to the current official listings.
Operates and repairs a vessel's engines, generators, pumps, and mechanical systems while at sea.
Run the Reality Check — build the life you want and see the salary it takes, then compare it to this one.
Browse verified internships, fellowships, and programs — many paid — that lead into fields like this.
Free resume templates, interview practice, and getting-hired guides in the Careers kit.
Standard Occupational Classification 53-5031. Pay and employment from the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey; outlook and openings from the 2024–34 employment projections; job context from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; tasks, interests, work styles, software examples, and job zone from O*NET 30.3. See something off? Tell us.