Marine engineers and naval architects
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$105,670
~$51/hr · ~$8,806/mo
US Jobs
9K
Faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
7/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 7/10
The core of this occupation involves digital design, complex mathematical modeling, and technical report writing, all of which are highly susceptible to AI-driven productivity gains and automation. While physical site visits to shipyards and offshore platforms provide a buffer, the shift toward AI-integrated CAD, automated performance testing, and generative design for hulls and machinery significantly reshapes the workflow.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVBEST VALUE | $160,100 | Above avg (109.5) | $146,153 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $135,850 | Average (99.6) | $136,334 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $134,430 | Average (101.1) | $132,970 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $128,470 | Average (99.7) | $128,813 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $148,650 | Above avg (117.6) | $126,456 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $131,820 | Above avg (112.1) | $117,604 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $106,500 | Below avg (91.2) | $116,784 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,420 | Above avg (110.7) | $115,964 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $99,150 | Below avg (88.9) | $111,556 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $108,530 | Average (101.3) | $107,114 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $110,020 | Above avg (103.2) | $106,625 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,810 | Above avg (112.7) | $105,392 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $100,630 | Average (97.7) | $102,976 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $107,100 | Above avg (107.4) | $99,702 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $101,460 | Above avg (104.4) | $97,227 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+6% (Faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$51/hr
Monthly Income
~$8,806/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)