The maritime transportation industry is one of the largest and most important industries in the world. It provides jobs to millions of people and generates billions of dollars in revenue annually.
The demand for workers who can operate ships or other marine vessels is high, but there are also opportunities available for those who want to become part of this booming industry.
The following 30 occupations are among the best-paying jobs in marine transportation.
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Overview of the Marine Transportation Industry: Demand & Outlook
Marine transportation is a broad, large, and highly specialized industry that encompasses activities related to the movement of people and cargo by water.
Marine transportation is important for economic growth in many countries around the world, particularly developing nations. According to Clarksons Research, the world maritime trade is expected to grow by 3.4 percent in 2022.
This means that the maritime workforce will be expanding at a significant rate and more labor will be needed. The majority of marine transportation jobs can be found in coastal regions where there are ports and shipping hubs located.
If you’re looking for a high-paying job that doesn’t require a college degree but does require some training and experience—and no previous knowledge of boats is required—you could consider becoming a shipmate.
As you read more, you will learn more about these professions and how they work.
List of the Top Paying Jobs in Marine Transportation
The following professionals are the best-paid workers in the maritime transportation industry:
- Marine Surveyors ($79,206 – $112,455 p.a.)
- Ship Superintendent ($84,863 p.a.)
- Radio Technician ($47,000 – $71,000 p.a.)
- Shipbuilding Engineer ($59,860 p.a.)
- Marine Service Manager ($38,000 – $62,500 p.a.)
- Marine Technician ($40,280 – $59,686 p.a.)
- Marine Mechanic ($49,620 p.a.)
- Marine Welder ($45,000 – $53,990 p.a.)
- Marine Painter ($35,000 – $56,000 p.a.)
- Ship Mate ($41,498 p.a)
- Port Engineer ($49,000 – $87,310 p.a.; largely varies.)
- Vessel Operator ($71,841 – $88,846 p.a.)
- Naval Architect ($80,825 p.a.)
- Shipwright ($41,887 – $51,444 p.a.)
- Able Seaman ($51,283 p.a.)
- Ships’ Security Officer ($44,593 p.a.)
- Marine Engineer ($64,500 p.a.)
- Shipping Broker ($53,952 p.a.)
- Manager of the Marine Service Department ($71,662 p.a.)
- Shipping Freight Broker ($34,110 – $42,524 p.a.)
- Bosun ($53,125 p.a.)
- Cruise Ship Designer ($55,775 p.a.)
- Pumpman ($50,000 p.a.)
- Motorman ($45,158 p.a.)
- Cargo Engineer ($59,860 p.a.)
- Electro Technical Officer ($65,037 p.a.)
- Maritime Reporter ($42,199 p.a.)
- Navy Nurse ($57,887 – $87,123 p.a.)
- Maritime Lawyer ($61,272 – $80,851 p.a.)
- Roughnecks ($45,000 – $50,000 p.a.).
30 Best Paying Jobs in Marine Transportation
Below is a description of the best-paying jobs in marine transportation:
1. Marine Surveyors
What they earn: $77,206 – $112,455 per year.
As a marine surveyor, you’ll be responsible for inspecting ships, boats, and other watercraft to ensure they are seaworthy. In order to qualify as a marine surveyor, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation or engineering from an accredited institution.
2. Ship Superintendent
What they earn: $84,863 per year.
Ship superintendents are in charge of supervising the crew, maintenance, cargo loading, and unloading. These professionals oversee their ships from port to port.
If you’re interested in becoming a ship superintendent, there are many skills that you should have: first and foremost, you will need to have experience on large vessels in all phases of marine transportation.
You should also have knowledge of diesel engines and electrical systems in ships as well as familiarity with advanced navigation equipment and radar systems used at sea.
Additionally, these professionals must know how to read maps correctly so they can plan routes for their boats safely; they also need to understand how weather affects sailing times across different bodies of water like oceans or lakes.
3. Radio Technicians
What they earn: $47,000 – $71,000 per year.
Radio Technicians are employed in a variety of occupations, including:
- Radio and television broadcasting stations
- Marine radio stations
- Aircraft radio stations
- Military radio stations
- Police and fire departments that use radios for communication
- Railroad companies
They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of radio equipment, as well as receiving and transmitting communication.
4. Shipbuilding Engineers
What they earn:$59,860 per year.
Shipbuilding engineers are responsible for the design, construction, and repair of ships. They work with shipbuilders and shipyards to design and build ships that meet their client’s needs—including their size, speed, capacity, safety features, fuel efficiency, and more.
Shipbuilding engineers also inspect completed ships before they launch into service and monitor them throughout their careers to make sure they remain safe at sea.
In addition to working closely with shipbuilders and shipyards, marine engineers also work with owners (the people who operate the vessel), operators (the people who run the day-to-day business operations), and marine insurance companies (who insure against liability).
5. Marine Service Managers
What they earn: $38,000 -$62,500 per year.
These professionals travel to marine ports across the country. They can work in land and water-based locations.
The responsibilities of a Marine Service Engineer include inspecting a vessel while it is in port or during seagoing operations.
These professionals have extensive knowledge of being able to work with people from all walks of life, from crew members and ship operators to insurance agents and clients.
They also know how to navigate complicated paperwork and legal matters related to marine transportation so that businesses can stay compliant with regulations regarding safety for passengers as well as cargo transportation.
6. Marine Technicians
What they earn: $40,280 – $59,686 per year.
Marine Technicians are responsible for maintaining the equipment on ships, boats, and submarines. They may specialize in the engine room, electrical systems, or other machinery on board a vessel.
In addition to this technical work, they are also responsible for ensuring that these machines are operating efficiently and safely at sea.
7. Marine Mechanics
What they earn: $49,620 per year.
As a marine mechanic, you’ll be responsible for keeping the ships and boats that travel our oceans in good condition. This is no small task; these vessels are constantly under stress from the weather and saltwater environment, which can cause constant wear and tear on their mechanical systems.
Working conditions are good for this job; it’s not unusual to find yourself working outdoors or inside one of these massive ships, but most of your time will be spent in an office setting surrounded by other people who share your passion for working on big machines.
8. Marine Welder
What they earn: $45,000 – $53,990 per year.
As the name suggests, marine welders work with metal and welding to build structures for ships and other watercraft.
They also perform maintenance on these structures by repairing cracks in metal or applying coatings to protect them from erosion over time.
A marine welder’s job is very much like that of a construction worker, but instead of working on the land, they spend most of their time at sea building things out of steel. Welding skills are highly prized in this field.
9. Marine Painter
What they earn: $35,500 – $56,000 per year.
Marine painters are responsible for the painting of ships, vessels, and boats. Marine painters must be able to work safely while using all tools required to complete their job. They must also be able to communicate effectively with other workers on the deck, as well as those in the engine room or below deck.
Marine painters may work directly for a boat manufacturer or shipyard and be responsible for painting entire vessels or only certain parts of them; they also may paint individual components such as propellers and rudders.
10. Shipmates
What they earn: $25,000 – $49,498 per year.
A shipmate is a job title that refers to the onboard crew of a marine vessel. The tasks performed by members of this profession include operating and maintaining equipment, carrying out basic repairs, keeping watch over cargo and passengers, and assisting in navigation.
11. Port Engineers
What they earn: $49,000 – $87,310 per year.
Port Engineers are in charge of the maintenance and operation of the port. They work with the shipping company, port authority, ship owner, and other stakeholders to ensure that goods get safely and efficiently moved through the port.
They’re a critical link between all parties involved in ocean transportation—without them, there would be no way for ships to pick up or drop off cargo.
Port engineers must have a thorough knowledge of how each type of vessel works so they can understand how it will interact with a specific terminal facility or infrastructure system. They must also be able to supervise workers who operate cranes and other machinery used by ships coming into port.
12. Vessel Operators
What they earn: $29,000 – $51,000 per year.
As a vessel operator, you’ll be responsible for the safe operation of vessels. This includes communicating with crew members and other vessels, understanding and following all maritime laws and regulations, and ensuring that safety procedures are strictly followed at all times.
13. Naval Architects
What they earn: $80,825 per year.
Naval architects are responsible for the design of ships and boats. They must be able to take into account factors like weight, strength, speed, and stability in their designs while also considering how much cargo the ship or boat can carry.
Naval architects are employed by shipyards, design firms, and research institutions. In order to work as a naval architect, you must have a bachelor’s degree in naval architecture or engineering (or a related field).
14. Shipwrights
What they earn: $41,887 – $51,444 per year.
A shipwright is a skilled craftsman who builds boats. The word comes from “ship” and “right”—someone who has the knowledge to build ships. Shipwrights are responsible for much of a vessel’s construction.
They work with wood and metal to build the hulls and masts of ships, as well as their rigging and other parts. In addition to being called ship carpenters, they may also work under titles such as ship riggers or joiners.
15. Able Seamen
What they earn: $51,283 per year.
The Able Seaman is the most junior rank in the Deck department of a merchant ship. The AB rate is a non-commissioned member of that department and functions as a kind of chief mate to the officer in charge.
The AB is responsible for all duties assigned to him by his superior officers, including knot tying and roping, deck maintenance, cleaning bilges and inspecting cargo for damage. Able seamen are often called upon to assist with cargo loading/unloading and other shipboard tasks as needed.
Able Seaman (AB) is also known as an able seaman 1st class or able seaman junior grade (AS 1/JG).
16. Ships’ Security Officers
What they earn: $44,593 per year.
A ships’ security officer is responsible for the security of the ship, crew, and cargo. They also check all passengers and crew members to ensure they have valid travel documents.
The average salary for a ships’ security officer is $80,000 per year.
17. Marine Engineers
What they earn: $64,500 per year.
Marine Engineers are responsible for the operation and maintenance of vessels, including propulsion plants, auxiliary equipment, and mechanical systems.
They are also responsible for the operation of boilers, condensers, pumps, and other auxiliary machinery; conducting inspections; maintaining records regarding the performance and condition of all equipment; monitoring hazardous materials handling operations; training crew members in safe practices when operating vessels or onshore facilities that contain hazardous materials.
This job requires you to have a four-year engineering degree from an ABET-accredited college or university.
18. Shipping Brokers
What they earn: $53,952 per year.
A shipping broker is someone who acts as an intermediary between a buyer and seller of goods shipped by sea or air.
There are different types of shipping brokers: freight forwarders, shipbrokers, and cargo agents. Freight forwarders are the most common type of shipping brokers.
Freight forwarding involves moving cargo via land or water freight to a location where it can be loaded onto an ocean vessel for transportation over water (or vice versa).
Shipbrokers provide services like arranging insurance coverage for cargo shipments, preparing documentation, and arranging financing for ships through banks or other financial institutions.
While cargo agents handle less complex aspects of international trade such as receiving, storing, inspecting, and forwarding imported or exported goods at various ports within their jurisdiction.
19. Manager of the Marine Service Department
What they earn: $71,662 per year.
A marine service department can be any area of a company that’s involved in the maintenance, servicing, and repair of vessels. In this case, we’re talking about a shipyard where they do repairs and maintenance on ships, as well as providing other services such as cleaning or painting. A marine service manager is someone who oversees all these operations.
The duties of a marine service manager are varied but mainly involve overseeing the employees who work for him/her and ensuring that all projects are completed on time and within budget.
20. Shipping Freight Brokers
What they earn: $34,110 – $42,524 per year.
Shipping freight brokers work with companies to coordinate the transportation of goods. Their duties include helping clients with international shipping and arranging for transport by air or rail.
They may also be responsible for making sure shipments are cleared through customs, dealing with port authorities and terminal management companies, communicating with freight forwarders, handling cargo claims, and processing the paperwork involved in shipping.
21. Bosuns
What they earn: 53,125 per year.
Bosuns are responsible for the safety and welfare of the crew and the ship. They ensure that all safety equipment is in good working order, maintain discipline on board the ship, and are responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the ship.
22. Cruise Ship Designers
What they earn: $55,775 per year.
Cruise ship designers are responsible for the layout of a cruise ship and its interior design. Cruise ship designers must have an understanding of the needs of passengers, as well as knowledge of safety standards and regulations.
A cruise ship designer might be responsible for designing all public spaces on board, including dining areas, lounges, entertainment venues, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities.
Cruise ship designers also make sure that the cabins are properly equipped in accordance with customer expectations. This involves collaborating with other departments such as marketing or sales in order to determine what type of cabin configurations would appeal most to customers.
23. Pumpmen
What they earn: $50,000 per year.
A pumpman is responsible for operating pumps and other equipment on ships. They are employed by the ship’s captain or crew, and they are paid a salary instead of an hourly wage. Pumpmen are responsible for keeping the ship’s water system functioning properly and ensuring that it has enough pressure to operate the toilets and showers.
Pumpmen usually work with water purifiers, sewage treatment plants, firefighting systems, bilge piping systems (which remove excess water from a ship), hoses used to fight fires on vessels at sea, and other systems that require pressurized water flow.
In addition to their regular duties as maintenance workers who ensure cleanliness aboard ships at sea or in ports where they drop off cargo or passengers, pumpmen may also have additional responsibilities such as helping with inspections required by marine safety regulations, if needed.
24. Motormen
What they earn: $45,158 per year.
Motormen are the crew members who operate the propulsion system of a ship. They are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the engines and boilers.
Motormen are also responsible for monitoring the engine room, operating controls, and recording information recorded with gauges, operating valves, and other devices to control the speed or direction of ships or boats. They also monitor fuel consumption and adjust usage as necessary.
25. Cargo Engineers
What they earn: $59,860 per year.
Cargo Engineers are responsible for the safe handling of cargo and the operation of cargo-handling equipment. They typically work on board vessels, but may also be found at ports and terminal operators. Cargo engineers are employed by shipping companies, ports, and terminal operators.
A cargo engineer license is required to work as a marine transportation professional in this field.
26. Electro Technical Officer
What they earn: $65,037 per year.
If you’re looking for a job that requires a high level of skill and knowledge, an Electro Technical Officer position might be right for you. An electro-technical officer must have the ability to work with electrical equipment, as well as the ability to repair it in case of malfunctions.
This is a dangerous job, since they may be working around moving parts or electrical equipment that could cause injury if not handled correctly.
27. Maritime Reporters
What they earn: $42,199 per year.
Maritime Reporters are journalists who specialize in reporting news from the shipping industry. They’re responsible for writing articles that educate readers on maritime topics, including laws and regulations affecting ocean transportation, trends in the industry, and important developments within it.
Maritime reporters need to be able to write clearly and concisely (and sometimes quickly). They also need excellent judgment skills because they often have to take initiative when interviewing sources or covering breaking news stories.
An ability to multitask is another essential skill for maritime reporters—they frequently have multiple deadlines looming over their heads at once.
Finally, since they work closely with many people throughout their careers (including other professionals like lawyers), having good communication skills is an important attribute as well as being able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
28. Navy Nurses
What they earn: $57,887 – $87,123 per year.
Navy nurses are the best-paid marine transportation job. They are highly trained, and highly skilled professionals who work in a challenging environment.
Navy nurses deal with difficult situations every day. They work in a team environment where they need to be responsible for the health and safety of patients.
29. Maritime Lawyers
What they earn: $61,272 – $80,857 per year.
One of the most highly paid jobs in marine transportation is that of a maritime lawyer. Maritime lawyers specialize in maritime law and help with maritime contracts, international trade, and shipping laws. They work in a variety of fields including shipping, transportation, ports, and terminals.
30. Roughnecks
What they earn: $45,000 – $50,000 per year.
Roughnecks have a very labor-intensive job. They are known for handling most of the difficult tasks that require physical strength like boat tugging.
Popular FAQs
What is the best paying job in marine transportation?
The best-paying jobs in marine transportation are: Marine Surveying, Maritime law, Navy nursing, Shipbuilding Engineering, Naval Architecture, and Vessel Operators. However, the maritime industry is a highly compensating career; there are many other roles in the industry that pay just as well, or slightly less.
Do I need a degree to work in the maritime transportation industry?
Yes, you need at least a bachelor’s degree and formal education in any of your chosen fields in the maritime industry. You can read more about the requirements to find out more.
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Wrapping It Up
This list is by no means comprehensive, but it should give you a good idea of how much money you can expect to earn in the marine transportation industry. If any of these jobs sound interesting or appealing to you, we encourage you to explore further by looking into each occupation individually.
