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Military Ship Engineers

Military Career

General Information

Description

Ship engineers maintain machinery and equipment for various parts of the fleet and are responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, and repair of engines, deck machinery, heating, power generation, and electrical wiring aboard a ship. They also respond to emergency situations such as leaks and fires, and conduct safety operations.

Explore this career outside the military

Work Environment

Ship engineers work in engine rooms, where the noise levels and temperatures may be high.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Officer
    • Managerial/professional
    • College degree required

Military Workforce

Ship Engineers in the Military

8,706

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

$90,090

What makes up a military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Post-secondary certificate 49%
  • High school 33%
  • Some college 15%
  • Bachelor's degree 1%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Military training

Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for ship engineers primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Training length varies depending on specialty; the time required for nuclear specialties is the longest. Like other officers, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training content may include: Inspection and maintenance of marine engines, electrical systems, and fuel systemsOperation and maintenance of power plants and related machinery

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Military training

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Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for ship engineers primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Training length varies depending on specialty; the time required for nuclear specialties is the longest. Like other officers, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Inspection and maintenance of marine engines, electrical systems, and fuel systems
  • Operation and maintenance of power plants and related machinery

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Mechanical
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Administration and Management
  • Transportation
  • Customer and Personal Service

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.