Is Being a Marine Technician a Good Career?

Marine technician work is often done outside in places near the water, and it can involve working on a wide range of watercraft, from small boats to large yachts.

Fortunately, Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) has two programs that provide training for students who want to learn in-demand skills often required in the industry!^1.1 After that, graduates can pursue entry-level marine technician work.

Why can marine technology be a good career?

Read on to learn more! We'll go over what a career as a marine technician entails and how to get started at MMI.

Marine Technician Job Description 

Marine technicians are typically in charge of routine maintenance, inspections and repairs on boats, ships and other types of watercraft. Here are some marine technicians’ typical duties:

• Inspections: Marine technicians inspect vessels to identify problems or defects.
• Routine maintenance tasks: Routine maintenance such as changing oil and filters, lubricating moving parts, and adjusting cooling systems is performed to prevent problems from occurring.
• Diagnoses: Mechanical and electrical problems are identified using diagnostic equipment and troubleshooting techniques to detect problems and defects.
• Repairs and replacements: Repairs and replacements are conducted to remove non-functioning parts such as propellers, engines and transmissions, and replace them with new, fully functional parts.
• Installations: Technicians often install new equipment and systems such as GPS, sound, radar and other electrical systems.

Read: How to Train to Become a Marine Dealership Mechanic

Benefits of a Marine Technician Career 

Every day, marine technicians get to work with their hands and put their mechanical skills to use. For those who enjoy hands-on work, this career path can be both challenging and rewarding. Marine technicians with enough education and industry experience could also pursue higher levels of responsibility, including management roles or even start their own marine repair businesses.⁷⁷

Being a marine technician can be a great job for those who enjoy the water. You can work on boats and other vessels and help to ensure the safety and enjoyment of others who use the water for recreation or business. Furthermore, marine technicians sometimes work with cutting-edge marine technology, which can make the job both challenging and exciting.

Read: How to Become a Certified Marine Diesel Mechanic

Median Marine Technician Salary in the U.S. Job Outlook 

The BLS also reported that the median annual salary for marine technicians in the United States was $48,280 in May 2022.³¹ This means that half earned more and the other half earned less. Remember that salary is affected by a variety of factors, including experience, employer, demand and the cost of living in the area.

Read: Marine Mechanic Median Annual Salary: Top Paying By State Ranking

How to Become a Boat Mechanic

Trade schools provide training in specific fields, allowing students to learn the skills and knowledge required for technician work in their desired industries. Boat mechanic schools like MMI also place a focus on hands-on training, which provides practical experience that can be applied directly to future technician work.¹⁸

Marine technician training can take months or years, depending on the aspiring technician's training options. MMI provides two training programs, whose courses range from basic engine theory to more technical aspects of marine product service, rebuilding, troubleshooting and repair.

MMI’s 51-week core training program ends in a diploma for graduates and is dedicated to the service and repair of marine tech. The 60-week degree program includes additional diesel coursework and ends in an occupational associate degree (OAD). Both programs are offered at the MMI campus in Orlando, Florida.

Ryan Ramsay’s Journey 

Where It Started

Ryan Ramsay, an MMI graduate, grew up lakeside in the small town of Kendallville, Indiana.

“I started on lawn equipment before I could drive,” he says. “My dad also owned a car detail shop, so I was in there as a kid detailing cars and helping out with different mechanic things. This is where I really developed a strong work ethic — thanks to my mom and dad!”

During high school, he enrolled in the Impact Institute's Marine Service Technology program, which allows students in high school to work on and repair watercraft and is one of the few high school vocational marine programs in the United States!

While Ryan was enrolled, an MMI recruiter came by and gave a presentation. He was intrigued by these educational prospects and John McElroy, the Impact Institute’s Marine Mechanics instructor at the time, encouraged him to pursue his curiosity.

“I remember asking John, ‘What do I need to do to have your job, because you’ve got it made!’” Ryan says, laughing. “(John) said, ‘You need to go to MMI. You need to tour and check it out, go to that school, get associated with a marina and stay in touch with me.’”

Building Industry Skills at MMI

Ryan enrolled at MMI and followed through on his promise, staying in touch with John and starting his education. While at MMI, he demonstrated a work ethic and a passion that allowed him to reap the program’s educational benefits.

“I did everything that I could possibly do at the facility at the time,” Ryan says. “I tried to do the extra things they provided.”

Ryan returned to Indiana after graduating in 2005 and began looking for work in the marine technology industry. “I used Employment Services [now Career Services] when looking for jobs and they were really helpful. I told them what locations I wanted to check out and they made phone calls and sent my résumé out.”

During this time, Ryan had five or six interviews, each of which resulted in an on-the-spot offer.⁶ It still took him a while to find an opportunity that felt right. “Since it was my career choice, I wanted it to feel right. I was just waiting for that,” he says.

Evolving a Marine Technician Career

Ryan learned about an opportunity to work at Patona Bay Marina & Resort in Leesburg, Indiana, through word of mouth, where he says he was treated like family. He worked for six years before deciding to pursue his next career path as an instructor – specifically, the same vocational program he'd taken during his high school days at the Impact Institute in Kendallville, where he first began developing his marine technology knowledge and learned about MMI!

He gives a lot of credit to his former instructor and friend, John, who encouraged him to train at MMI. It’s all come full circle, with Ryan now teaching at the Impact Institute for 11 years. Despite his extensive experience, one of his favorite aspects of being an instructor is that each day is different.

“There’s not a lot of repetition. New things are happening every day in class. We might get a new piece of equipment or a donation one day, so it’s not just the same thing over and over again,” he says. “I also love the challenge of training students who might know nothing about boats. I can teach at their pace and don’t have to force-feed them.”

Last Thoughts

Ryan encourages those interested in a career in the marine industry to think outside the box.

“Don’t just think, ‘I’ll be wrenching and loosening nuts and bolts for 30 years.’ Look at the entire industry.”

Marine Technician FAQ 

How Long Is Marine Technician Training? 

Boat technician training can take months or years, depending on the aspiring technician’s training choice. Training at MMI can last 51 or 60 weeks, depending on the program chosen by the student. Graduates can then pursue entry-level marine technician jobs!

What Skills Do You Need To Become a Marine Technician?

Technical aptitude is essential for marine technicians because they must understand how various marine technologies and mechanical systems operate. At MMI, students can develop key technician traits by taking marine technology courses such as:

• Engines
• Lower Units/Outdrives
• Rigging
• Service Operations
• Fuel and Lubrication Systems
• Electrical Basics

Enroll in Marine Technician Training at MMI!

Marine technicians play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation, maintenance and repair of vessels essential to various industries such as fishing, transportation and research. If you want to pursue a career in the marine industry, consider getting marine technician training at MMI!

Ready to enroll in marine technician training? Speak with an Admissions Representative at 1-800-834-7308 or visit our website to request more information.