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If you love working with your hands and have a passion for boats and marine equipment, a career as a marine technician could be for you. Marine technicians, also called marine mechanics, maintain and repair outboard and inboard engines, vessels, sterndrives and diesel engines. They diagnose problems, perform routine maintenance, test engines and fix issues.
Working on marine equipment can be a fulfilling job. You may work on equipment that powers global trade, or on ships that transport goods and products around the world. Some marine technicians repair boats for individuals or businesses that rely on them. In any case, you get to be surrounded by open water and master some of the world’s most powerful equipment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for motorboat mechanics and service technicians in the United States was $48,280 in May 2022.31 This means half of marine technicians earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
In the following list, you’ll find the 2021 annual median wages, reported in May 2021, for marine mechanics throughout the United States (BLS has data for all but New Mexico, West Virginia, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.) Let’s dive in!
Massachusetts is another coastal state where boats and ships abound. One of the state’s top industries is fishing, and food processing and storage is a major economic driver here. Tourism is also a big industry in Massachusetts. Marine mechanics are needed to power export services and boats for locals and vacationers in the area.
With fishing and tourism being top industries in Alaska, Marine mechanics are needed to keep the state’s economy running. Beyond that, the amount of wildlife and beauty you can find in Alaska might leave you wanting to get out there yourself, making it a great place to work and live.
Much of Rhode Island has coastal access, so that makes boats and ships a prominent presence here. Leisure and tourism make up one of the biggest industrial sectors in the state, and locals and visitors enjoy boating and sailing. Water transportation is also big here, creating opportunities for marine technicians.
U.S. News & World Report has ranked Washington the No. 1 state overall and has ranked it in the top five states for health care, education, economy and infrastructure. Washington is a nature lover's dream, with plenty of forests and mountains to explore. These factors make marine mechanics an important role in Washington, and there will be plenty of things to do, with Seattle’s bustling entertainment scene.
Connecticut’s coastal location makes it a prime area for boating, sailing and fishing. Tourism is also one of the state’s major industries, and visitors love to get on the water. Marine mechanics here can work on motors and parts for all types of boats and ships.
Virginia Beach was voted the seventh best beach in the East Coast in USA Today. Visitors often travel to Virginia with their boats to explore and fish. Also, Norfolk, Virginia has a large military base and naval station where marine mechanics are used for various needs.
The islands of Hawaii are a prime area for boating. There are marine mechanic needs for both recreational and businesses boating. Hawaii is a significant producer and exporter of goods like sugar and pineapples, and another main industry here is defense. All of these require marine technicians to keep things running smoothly.
Colorado is another state with a great need for marine mechanics. Known for its clear, blue skies and many bodies of water, residents and visitors often take their boats out on scenic lakes. This creates a need for skilled mechanics who can maintain and repair these boats.
Vermont is known for its beautiful natural landscape, including Lake Champlain in the northwest part of the state. Boating is popular among visitors, which opens the door to different opportunities for skilled marine technicians.
Transportation, including that on the water, is one of New Jersey’s biggest industries. Besides marine machinery for business, recreational boating is popular in the state — and marine mechanics are vital for all these needs.
If working on jobs and within industries like those mentioned above interests you, consider enrolling at Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI).1 At MMI, students receive training on products of five major manufacturers that are part of the marine industry.
To learn more, visit our Marine Technician Specialist training program page and request information to get in touch with one of our Admissions Representatives today.
Becoming a certified marine diesel mechanic isn't out of reach. UTI’s Marine Mechanic Institute will get you closer.
Thinking about training at Marine Mechanics Institute? Find answers to 9 commonly asked questions about the school here.
What is an outboard motor, and how does it work? Click here to learn all about the anatomy of a marine outboard motor.
1) MMI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
31) MMI’s Marine Technician Specialist Program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as marine technicians. Estimated annual salary shown above is for Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for MMI graduates. MMI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. MMI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some MMI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a marine technician, such as equipment maintenance, inspector, and part associate. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary range for persons employed as Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians (49-3051) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $32,760 to $42,570 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2020 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageSpecificOccupations#). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled marine technicians in North Carolina is $22.17 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages, Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $16.99 and $13.38.
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