Ship Engineers
SOC Code: 53-5031 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Ship Engineers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $102,856 | $128,794 | $154,752 | $180,690 |
| Modesto, CA | $102,586 | $128,544 | $154,502 | $180,461 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,712 | $127,899 | $154,107 | $180,294 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $102,045 | $127,754 | $153,442 | $179,150 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $72,072 | $107,661 | $143,270 | $178,859 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $90,854 | $115,398 | $139,942 | $164,486 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $90,480 | $114,795 | $139,110 | $163,426 |
| Vallejo, CA | $90,126 | $114,421 | $138,736 | $163,030 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $89,773 | $113,818 | $137,862 | $161,907 |
| Salisbury, MD | $100,984 | $121,202 | $141,419 | $161,637 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.8 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.8 | |
| Repairing | 3.8 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Active Listening | 3.6 | |
| Speaking | 3.5 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 4.5 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.5 |
| Transportation | 3.3 |
| Mathematics | 3.2 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.2 |
| Building and Construction | 3.0 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 48.0% |
| Some college | 23.9% |
| Master's degree | 10.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 8.2% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 6.2% |
| Less than high school | 3.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
- Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
- Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.
- Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
- Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
- Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Apple macOS Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word Oracle Database SAP software Salesforce software Computer aided dispatch software Computerized maintenance management system CMMS Customer relationship management CRM software Damen DAMOS
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