Shipbuilding & Marine Careers
Shipbuilding and marine manufacturing builds vessels and marine equipment — from naval ships to commercial vessels to recreational boats. Moderate concentration at larger employers (6.8% at 250+).
Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density
Shipbuilding and marine manufacturing builds vessels that work and travel on water — there's satisfaction in large-scale construction, engineering complexity, and building ships that may serve for decades. Many find meaning in maritime tradition.
The challenge can come from project timelines and physical demands. Ships take years to build; project cycles create uneven employment. The work is physically demanding — outdoor, at heights, in confined spaces. Industry is concentrated in specific coastal regions. Defense contracts dominate much of U.S. shipbuilding.
The field varies by vessel type and role. Navy shipbuilding differs from commercial, recreational, or specialized vessels. Welders have different paths than pipefitters, electricians, or engineers. Large shipyards operate differently than boat builders or repair facilities.
For those who thrive here, the rewards are substantial: building impressive vessels, often strong wages particularly in defense shipyards, skilled trades development, and maritime culture. If you're drawn to ships, can handle the physical demands, and want large-scale manufacturing, shipbuilding offers unique opportunities.
Trade apprenticeships provide entry. Shipyard experience develops specialized skills. Engineering requires degrees. Security clearances needed for military work.
Common roles in Shipbuilding & Marine
A curated look at the roles that shape Shipbuilding & Marine — from accessible ways in to senior destinations.
Median salaries range from ~$71K in mid-market metros to ~$101K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap — metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.
What the data says about this sector
Beyond salary and job counts — signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Shipbuilding & Marine.
Small
<5017%
Mid
50–2497%
Large
250+
Career tracks in Shipbuilding & Marine
How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.
Other sectors within Manufacturing.
Common questions about Shipbuilding & Marine careers
What kinds of roles exist in shipbuilding and marine work?
The industry pairs specialized design roles — naval architects, marine engineers, piping designers — with shipyard production work: planning, materials, machinery maintenance, electrical, and quality. Surveying roles inspect vessels through build and service life.
How many people work in shipbuilding and marine manufacturing?
Around 139,000 people work in the industry in the US, mostly clustered around coastal shipyards and inland boatbuilding hubs.
What does shipbuilding pay?
Median pay across roles is roughly $61,000 a year. Design and engineering roles generally sit above that, while entry technician and coordinator roles start below it.
Is turnover high in shipbuilding?
The manufacturing sector overall saw about 1.6% of workers quit in a typical month in 2024. Shipyard work tends to reward tenure — multi-year builds and specialized skills keep many people in place.
How do people get into the industry?
Apprenticeships and technician roles — electrical, machining, maintenance — are the classic yard-floor ways in. Naval architecture and marine engineering degrees lead to the design side, and experienced trades can grow into supervision and production management.
Find where you fit in Shipbuilding & Marine
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