Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for a dynamic career in maritime operations, this program equips learners with advanced technical expertise in the maintenance, repair, and restoration of marine vessels. Students gain hands-on proficiency in diagnosing and resolving complex mechanical, structural, and electrical issues across a range of watercraft, from small recreational boats to larger commercial vessels.
- Marine Engine Repair: Focus on the disassembly, inspection, troubleshooting, and reassembly of both outboard and inboard marine engines, including fuel systems, cooling mechanisms, and ignition components.
- Electrical System Integration: Develop skills in testing, diagnosing, and repairing onboard electrical networks, including battery systems, wiring harnesses, navigation lights, and instrument panels.
- Steering and Control Systems: Learn to service and calibrate hydraulic and mechanical steering mechanisms, ensuring precision and safety in vessel maneuverability.
- Hull and Structural Repair: Master techniques for repairing and reinforcing hulls made from metal, wood, and fiberglass, including seam sealing, laminate application, and structural reinforcement.
- Sail Fabrication and Maintenance: Gain practical experience in designing, cutting, sewing, and repairing sails using modern materials and rigging systems for optimal performance.
- Propulsion System Optimization: Acquire the ability to inspect, balance, and align propellers and drive shafts to minimize vibration, enhance efficiency, and extend engine life.
Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology degrees, including Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 24,250 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians 49-3051 | $54,950 | $35,950 - $78,820 | 24,250 | $26.42 |
Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $34,280 in New Mexico to $77,310 in Alaska—a 126% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 24,250 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 47 institutions offering Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology is found at Universal Technical Institute-Auto Motorcycle & Marine Mechanics Institute Division (MMI), Orlando (200 graduates), Mech-Tech College (68 graduates), IYRS School of Technology & Trades (IYRS) (43 graduates), Automeca Technical College, Bayamon (31 graduates), and Hennepin Technical College (HTC) (30 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 799 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Technical Institute-Auto Motorcycle & Marine Mechanics Institute Division (MMI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
200 | Orlando, Florida | Private | uti.edu |
| Mech-Tech College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
68 | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Private | mechtech.edu |
| IYRS School of Technology & Trades (IYRS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
43 | Newport, Rhode Island | Private | iyrs.edu |
| Automeca Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
31 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | automeca.com |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Arkansas State University (ASU-Beebe) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
24 | Beebe, Arkansas | Public | asub.edu |
| National Park College (NPC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
23 | Hot Springs, Arkansas | Public | np.edu |
| William T McFatter Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Davie, Florida | Public | mcfattertechnicalcollege.edu |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Conway, South Carolina | Public | hgtc.edu |
| Lorenzo Walker Technical College (LWTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Naples, Florida | Public | lwtc.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Automeca Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Private | automeca.com |
| Suncoast Technical College (STC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Sarasota, Florida | Public | sarasotacountyschools.net |
| Skagit Valley College (SVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Mount Vernon, Washington | Public | skagit.edu |
| Automotive Training Center (ATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Warminster, Pennsylvania | Private | autotraining.edu |
| The Landing School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | Arundel, Maine | Private | landingschool.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
14 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
13 | Alexandria, Minnesota | Public | alextech.edu |
| CUNY Kingsborough Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | kbcc.cuny.edu |
| Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fortmyerstech.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Clearwater, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Carteret Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
12 | Morehead City, North Carolina | Public | carteret.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAS) |
Other Award
|
11 | Juneau, Alaska | Public | uas.alaska.edu |
| New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) |
Associate's
|
11 | East Greenwich, Rhode Island | Private | neit.edu |
| Central Lakes College (CLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Public | clcmn.edu |
| Automeca Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | automeca.com |
| Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Cedarville, Michigan | Private | glbbs.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Other Award
|
9 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Northeast Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Pryor, Oklahoma | Public | netech.edu |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | cfcc.edu |
| Tom P. Haney Technical College (Haney Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Panama City, Florida | Public | haney.edu |
| Fred K Marchman Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | New Port Richey, Florida | Public | mtec.pasco.k12.fl.us |
| Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
| George Stone Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | georgestonecollege.edu |
| Lindsey Hopkins Technical College (LHTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Miami, Florida | Public | lindseyhopkins.edu |
| Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Laconia, New Hampshire | Public | lrcc.edu |
| Beaufort County Community College (BCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
5 | Washington, North Carolina | Public | beaufortccc.edu |
| EHOVE Career Center |
Other Award
|
5 | Milan, Ohio | Public | ehove.net |
| Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Fort Walton Beach, Florida | Public | otcollege.net |
| Manatee Technical College (MTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Bradenton, Florida | Public | manateetech.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) |
Associate's
|
3 | Mitchell, South Dakota | Public | mitchelltech.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
| Central Alabama Community College (CACC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Alexander City, Alabama | Public | cacc.edu |
| Iowa Lakes Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Estherville, Iowa | Public | iowalakes.edu |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) |
Associate's
|
1 | Fergus Falls, Minnesota | Public | minnesota.edu |
| Ocean County Vocational-Technical School (OCVTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocvts.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology degree?
Salaries for Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology graduates vary by role and location. Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians earn a median of $54,950 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $77,310 compared to $34,280 in New Mexico. Approximately 24,250 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology programs?
Currently 48 accredited institutions offer Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Universal Technical Institute-Auto Motorcycle & Marine Mechanics Institute Division (MMI), Orlando (200 graduates), Mech-Tech College (68 graduates), and IYRS School of Technology & Trades (IYRS) (43 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 840 in 2010 to 799 in 2023-24. This represents a 5% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 24,250 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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