by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 48 U.S. colleges awarded 918 degrees and certificates in Marine Maintenance/Fitter & Ship Repair Technology/Technician. Certificates are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Marine Maintenance/Fitter & Ship Repair Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,805 one year after completing, rising to $54,355 after four years.
Studying Marine Maintenance/Fitter & Ship Repair Technology/Technician covers Marine Maintenance/fitter And Ship Repair Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair Outboard And Inboard Engines; Test, Maintain, And Repair Steering Devices And Electrical Systems; Repair Metal, Wood, And Fiberglass Hulls And Vessel Components; Fabricate And Maintain Sails; And Repair And Balance Propellers And Drive Shafts.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician is a widely-pursued major, with 918 degrees awarded annually. 48 colleges award marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 215.
By level, the 918 awards include 590 certificates, 161 associate degrees and 167 master’s degrees.
Women earned 5% of marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (43 of 918). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (584) and Hispanic or Latino (198), and international students earned 9.
College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Marine Maintenance/Fitter & Ship Repair Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 7 for associate degrees. It also ranks marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician schools within 3 states. In all, 48 colleges offer marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Marine Maintenance/Fitter & Ship Repair Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician credential is the certificate: 590 of the 918 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician call most for Repairing, Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting, and for knowledge of Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Arm-Hand Steadiness and Inductive Reasoning.
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How long a marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 590 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 161 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 167 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician, at 53.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 53.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 23.6% |
| Some college courses | 11.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 6.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Marine Maintenance/Fitter & Ship Repair Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $50,761; the strongest outlook belongs to Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians, at 10.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Marine Propulsion Technician, Marine Technician, Marine Diesel Mechanic and Mechanic.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician, at 350,797.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | 350,797 | 10.0% |
Marine Maintenance/Fitter & Ship Repair Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $37,805 one year after completing their program, $54,355 after four years and $49,650 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,805 |
| 4 years | $54,355 |
| 5 years | $49,650 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to marine maintenance/fitter & ship repair technology/technician, with a median salary of $50,761.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $50,761 |
Marine Maintenance/Fitter & Ship Repair Technology/Technician has 17 similar majors in the Mechanic & Repair Technologies field, which together award 80,706 degrees a year; the largest are Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (46,331), Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician (10,172) and Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician (9,434). Browse all Mechanic & Repair Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
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