All About Ship Engineers
Position Description Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
A Day in the Life of a Ship Engineer
- Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.
- Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.
- 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.
- Supervise the activities of 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.
- Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
- Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
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Qualities of a Ship Engineer
Below is a list of the skills most Ship Engineers say are important on the job.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Types of Ship Engineer Jobs
- Fire Boat Engineer
- Vessel Engineer
- Deck Engineer
- Small Boat Engineer
- Marine Mechanic
Ship Engineer Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 10,100 jobs in the United States for Ship Engineer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 700 new jobs for Ship Engineer by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,300 positions for Ship Engineer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Ship Engineer are Maine, Texas, and South Carolina. Watch out if you plan on working in Missouri, Indiana, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Ship Engineer
The salary for Ship Engineers ranges between about $40,330 and $123,670 a year.
Ship Engineers who work in New York, Missouri, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Ship Engineers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alaska | $63,620 |
California | $66,870 |
Florida | $67,650 |
Georgia | $66,440 |
Kentucky | $88,710 |
Louisiana | $76,010 |
Massachusetts | $84,810 |
Minnesota | $73,450 |
Mississippi | $77,260 |
Missouri | $86,470 |
New Jersey | $73,790 |
New York | $100,430 |
North Carolina | $49,370 |
Oregon | $78,820 |
Pennsylvania | $81,900 |
South Carolina | $79,350 |
Tennessee | $75,750 |
Texas | $74,100 |
Virginia | $72,970 |
Washington | $84,960 |
What Tools do Ship Engineers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Ship Engineers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Project
- Oracle software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Apple macOS
- SAP software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Salesforce
- Computer aided dispatch software
- Electronic data interchange EDI software
- Wonderware software
Becoming a Ship Engineer
What education or degrees do I need to become a Ship Engineer?
What work experience do I need to become a Ship Engineer?
Where do Ship Engineers Work?
Below are examples of industries where Ship Engineers work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Career changers with experience as a Ship Engineer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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