If you’re considering a position within a shipyard, you’ve probably thought about the earning potential involved. And while a paycheck isn’t the only reward you’ll get from working in a marine environment, it’s definitely important to look at the pay when considering a position. Before you start your process of applying to shipyards in your area, here are some of the top paying jobs in the shipbuilding industry today. We recommend using a website like Salary.com to learn more, because the exact salary will depend on your previous experience as well as the location of the position.
- Marine machinist:
Current projections appear to indicate the average salary marine machinists can expect is around $44k annually. There are a lot of other factors that will play into the exact earning potential, but this gives you a good starting point. A marine machinist is responsible for repairing, installing, adjusting, or maintaining the machines used in shipbuilding. - Marine engineer:
A marine engineer designs, repairs, and maintains ships of all sorts. An engineer with marine experience could earn as much as $100k per year or more at shipyards on the gulf coast. This position does require significant education and experience, specifically within a marine environment. - Marine fabricator:
There are a variety of fabricator jobs available within a shipyard environment. Working with sheet metal, welding, and structural systems are all things a fabricator may need experience with to find a job in the marine industry. These roles typically pay somewhere around the $50k range and up. - Pipefitter:
A specialized role within a shipyard is a pipefitter. This person installs, assembles, maintains, and repairs all aspects of a mechanical piping system. The position often starts with an apprenticeship program to gain experience. The median salary for this position in the area can be around $50k and up depending on experience. - Shipfitter:
Another specific role within the marine industry is a shipfitter, a person responsible for the construction and repair of ships. Fabrication experience of various types play into this role. Based on a number of factors, a shipfitter can make starting around $40k or more. As with all of these roles, specific salaries will be based on requirements and location.