Marine Engineer and Naval Architect Salary
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects earn a median $112,230 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
What marine engineers and naval architects do
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.7% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 500
Employment of marine engineers and naval architects is projected to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Marine Engineer and Naval Architect take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,861
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,958
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,627
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$87,784
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,010 | $39.91 | $67,228 |
| 25th percentile | $99,250 | $47.72 | $78,652 |
| Median (50th) | $112,230 | $53.96 | $87,784 |
| 75th percentile | $137,690 | $66.20 | $105,377 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,330 | $83.33 | $129,737 |
Marine Engineer and Naval Architect salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $172,330 | +3.3% | $117,374 | $107,030 – $195,190 | 490 |
| Texas | $152,780 | +18.9% | $115,691 | $93,180 – $230,020 | 330 |
| South Carolina | $136,990 | +14.2% | $97,836 | $85,000 – $167,720 | 40 |
| Florida | $130,640 | +10.5% | $100,558 | $73,070 – $215,470 | 370 |
| Maryland | $130,150 | +6.8% | $94,346 | $88,770 – $195,190 | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $114,640 | +22.6% | $83,967 | $92,430 – $168,550 | — |
| New York | $112,230 | +2.9% | $82,202 | $112,230 – $134,370 | 250 |
| California | $110,700 | −14.0% | $79,203 | $66,090 – $172,760 | 250 |
| Washington | $109,550 | +2.3% | $85,898 | $82,430 – $148,510 | 370 |
| Hawaii | $108,200 | +5.9% | $78,256 | $80,830 – $143,020 | 120 |
| Maine | $100,430 | +1.1% | $73,797 | $79,370 – $130,480 | 260 |
| Georgia | $97,770 | +25.4% | $73,160 | $63,650 – $123,350 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $97,060 | −2.1% | $73,961 | $63,850 – $133,020 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $78,850 | −0.1% | $61,502 | $66,830 – $105,390 | 80 |
| Michigan | $76,210 | −7.1% | $59,456 | $61,100 – $151,110 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials Engineer | $112,860 | Bachelor's degree | +7.5% |
| Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer | $109,370 | Bachelor's degree | +7.6% |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $115,160 | Bachelor's degree | +5.4% |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $106,220 | Bachelor's degree | +3.8% |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree | +11.2% |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree | +9.9% |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 | Bachelor's degree | +12.4% |
| Engineers, All Other | $122,930 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marine engineer and naval architect make?
The national median salary for marine engineers and naval architects is $112,230 a year ($53.96 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $83,010 and the top 10% earn over $173,330. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays marine engineers and naval architects the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $172,330.
How many marine engineers and naval architects are there in the U.S.?
About 8,250 people work as marine engineers and naval architects nationwide.