Best institutions to study Marine Engineering Technology/Technician
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.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 63 Marine Engineering Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0806, a specialization of Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.08), and leads most directly to the Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 49-3051).
About Marine Engineering Technology/Technician programs
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.
See also: 48.0704 - Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Marine Engineering Technology/Technician program prepares students to support engineers in the operation and maintenance of marine engines, including gas, diesel, and steam engines. This program is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing a career in marine engineering and related fields, where they will apply engineering principles and technical skills on shipboard systems.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in automation, diesel-powered systems, electrical circuits, hydraulics, and welding. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics, which are essential for troubleshooting and maintaining marine engines and systems.
Credentials awarded
What Marine Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree38 graduates / yr · 2 institutions60%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years25 graduates / yr · 2 institutions40%
Graduates over time
Marine Engineering Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 58 |
| 2021 | 27 |
| 2022 | 106 |
| 2023 | 67 |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2025 | 63 |
CIP 15.0806 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 4 institutions for Marine Engineering Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building Port Hadlock, WAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 90% | $28,292 | — |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 20 | 84% | — | — |
| 3 | Cal Poly Maritime Academy Vallejo, CAPublicBachelor's | 18 | 60% | — | $98,661 |
| 4 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich, RIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 60% | $36,659 | $70,916 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Marine Engineering Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1 | 22 | Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building22 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 20 | Texas A&M University - College Station20 / yr |
| California | 1 | 18 | Cal Poly Maritime Academy18 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 3 | New England Institute of Technology3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-3051, Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Marine Engineering Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians and other engineering technologists. With an expected job growth of 6.0% and approximately 2,600 annual openings, the median wage for these positions is around $54,950, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0806
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Techniciansprimary SOC 49-3051 | $57,550 | +6.0% Faster than average | ~2,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Marine Engineering Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
- Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
- Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
- Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
- Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
- Replace parts, such as gears, magneto points, piston rings, or spark plugs, and reassemble engines.
Tools and technology used
Other Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.08).
- Mechanical/CIP 15.0805
Mechanical Engineering Technology/ Technician 3,358 graduates / yr190 institutions - Automotive Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0803
Technician 1,292 graduates / yr47 institutions - Aeronautical/CIP 15.0801
Aerospace Engineering Technology/ Technician 810 graduates / yr29 institutions - Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/CIP 15.0899
Technicians 476 graduates / yr15 institutions - Motorsports Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0807
Technician limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
See all Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Bachelor's degree and an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, mathematics, and technical troubleshooting.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 6.0% and about 2,600 annual openings.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Motorboat Mechanic, Service Technician, or in other engineering technologist roles.
What is the CIP code for Marine Engineering Technology/Technician?+
Marine Engineering Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0806 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.08). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Marine Engineering Technology/Technician programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Marine Engineering Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 63 credentials in the year. That is 1.0% of all Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Marine Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians occupation, which Marine Engineering Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $57,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $98,661 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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