Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 7,900 people employed as ship engineers in the United States. The median annual salary is $82,410. Entry level employees earn approximately $49,420 per year and senior employees earn approximately $139,410 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
• Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.
• Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery.
• Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.
• Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
• Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
• Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
• Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
• Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
• Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
• Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
• Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.
• Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.
• Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
• Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
• Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean.
• Operate or maintain off-loading liquid pumps or valves.

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