How Much Does an Ocean Engineering Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$112,230
Marine engineers and naval architects in the U.S. earn a median of $112,230 a year, or $53.96 an hour. Half of marine engineers and naval architects earn more than $112,230 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $173,330.
Pay percentiles for marine engineers and naval architects
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39.91 | $83,010 |
| 25th | $47.71 | $99,250 |
| 50th (median) | $53.96 | $112,230 |
| 75th | $66.20 | $137,690 |
| 90th | $83.33 | $173,330 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (SOC 17-2121). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for marine engineers and naval architects
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $172,330 | $82.85 | +54% |
| Texas | $152,780 | $73.45 | +36% |
| South Carolina | $136,990 | $65.86 | +22% |
| Florida | $130,640 | $62.81 | +16% |
| Maryland | $130,150 | $62.57 | +16% |
| Massachusetts | $114,640 | $55.11 | +2% |
| New York | $112,230 | $53.96 | 0% |
| California | $110,700 | $53.22 | −1% |
| Washington | $109,550 | $52.67 | −2% |
| Hawaii | $108,200 | $52.02 | −4% |
| United States | $112,230 | $53.96 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many marine engineers and naval architects are there?
BLS counts about 8,250 marine engineers and naval architects employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in District of Columbia (490), Louisiana (430) and Florida (370).
The mean (average) annual wage is $124,180, higher than the median of $112,230.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $9,353
- Biweekly
- $4,317
- Weekly
- $2,158
- Daily (8 hours)
- $432
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do marine engineers and naval architects make an hour?
The median hourly wage for marine engineers and naval architects is $53.96. The middle 50% earn between $47.71 and $66.20 an hour.
Which state pays marine engineers and naval architects the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for marine engineers and naval architects at $172,330, +54% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for marine engineers and naval architects?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of marine engineers and naval architects earn less than $83,010 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.