by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 4 U.S. colleges awarded 63 degrees and certificates in Marine Engineering Technology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 60% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Marine Engineering Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $57,919 one year after completing, rising to $73,481 after four years.
A degree in Marine Engineering Technology involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Shipboard Mechanical And Electrical Engineering And The Maintenance And Operation Of Marine Engines, Including Gas, Diesel, And Steam Engines. Includes Instruction In Automation, Diesel-Powered Systems, Electrical Circuits And Systems, Engine Performance, Hydraulics, Manufacturing, Motor-Powered Systems, Refrigeration And Air-Conditioning, Steam-Powered Systems, And Welding.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, marine engineering technology draws strong interest, with 63 degrees awarded annually. 4 colleges award marine engineering technology degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 22.
By level, the 63 awards include 25 certificates and 38 bachelor’s degrees.
Women earned 16% of marine engineering technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (10 of 63). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (49) and Hispanic or Latino (8), and international students earned 1.
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Marine Engineering Technology Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks marine engineering technology schools within 2 states. In all, 4 colleges offer marine engineering technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Marine Engineering Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common marine engineering technology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 38 of the 63 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to marine engineering technology call most for Quality Control Analysis, Critical Thinking and Operations Monitoring, and for knowledge of Mechanical, Engineering and Technology and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Near Vision and Deductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a marine engineering technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 25 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 38 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to marine engineering technology, at 38.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 38.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 23.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 18.1% |
| Some college courses | 8.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.3% |
| Master’s degree | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Marine Engineering Technology, with an average median salary of $84,250; the strongest outlook belongs to Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians, at 10.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist, Experimental Outboard Motors Mechanic and Outboard Motor Tester.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to marine engineering technology, at 350,797.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | 350,797 | 10.0% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
Marine Engineering Technology graduates earn a median $57,919 one year after completing their program, $73,481 after four years and $76,013 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,919 |
| 4 years | $73,481 |
| 5 years | $76,013 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to marine engineering technology is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $50,761 |
Marine Engineering Technology has 5 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 5,942 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician (3,360), Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician (1,292) and Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician (810). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
