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What marine engineers make
Median
$112,230
Bottom tenth
$83,010
Top tenth
$173,330
The federal wage survey puts marine engineers together with naval architects, who design ships ashore. The 2025 median for the combined group is $112,230 a year, the bottom tenth earn $83,010 or less and the top tenth $173,330 or more. Sailing officers are usually paid a daily rate while aboard, so your yearly total depends on how many days you actually sail.