Transportation and material moving
Ship engineer
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Median pay
$109,530
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
900
Time to qualify*
3 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Ship engineer
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- Less than 5 years
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Ship engineer: 52% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
- Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
- Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
- Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
- Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
- Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
Also called: Barge Engineer · Engineer · Ferry Engineer · Harbor Engineer · Port Engineer · Ship Engineer · Towboat Engineer · Tug Boat Engineer
Outlook and AI
Ship engineers held 8,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 9,000 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Ship engineer vs. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Ship engineer vs. Marine engineers and naval architects
- Ship engineer vs. Maintenance and repair workers, general
- Ship engineer vs. Power plant operator
- Ship engineer vs. Sailors and marine oilers
- Ship engineer vs. Motorboat mechanics and service technicians
- Ship engineer vs. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Ship engineer vs. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Ship engineer vs. Locomotive engineer
- Ship engineer vs. Avionics technician