by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you love the thought of a career traveling on the open sea? A major in Marine Transportation will give you the technical knowledge and skill to work directly with ocean vessels. This program is ideal for anyone who wants to become a commercial fisherman, deep-water or scuba diver, ship captain, or any other ship worker.
Students may able to choose a concentration in a specific subject. Some of the options are Commercial Fishing, Diving Professional and Instructor, and Marine Science. You will take classes in your chosen specialization as well as courses in maritime traditions and law, shipboard power system engineering, crew supervision, catch identification, safety procedures, decompression systems, and diving safety procedures. This major is typically offered as a Bachelors degree, however can differ depending on which institution you attend.
A major in Marine Transportation explores Marine Transportation. Continue reading for the important information every marine transportation major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering marine transportation programs.
In the U.S., marine transportation draws strong interest, with 1,158 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Marine Transportation Schools ranking analyzes these 20 schools to determine the best overall colleges for marine transportation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of marine transportation programs later in this article.
Studies in Marine Transportation build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations marine transportation graduates commonly enter.
In order to be successful in a Marine Transportation major and future career, you need to develop certain abilities. Students should be physically strong and be prepared to work long hours in adverse weather conditions. You must also have sharp vision and hearing.
Problem-solving and decision-making skills are critical due to the uncertainty of the ocean. You might have to make quick decisions in stressful situations. Students should not be afraid of taking advanced science and math courses. You will also be encouraged to obtain internships in order to gain experience in this field.
The skill set developed in a marine transportation program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a marine transportation major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several marine transportation degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 328 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 27 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 526 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 277 |
People currently working in careers related to marine transportation tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 40.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 20.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.7% |
| Some college courses | 6.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.4% |
| Master’s degree | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in marine transportation careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Careers in this field involve a life sea and can be very adventurous and exciting. Students who focused in commercial fishing have the option of becoming a fisher and related fishing worker, or a fishing operations supervisor. In this position you will catch and trap various kinds of sea life in order to sell for human food, animal food, bait, or other uses.
Those who concentrated in Diving have the opportunity to become a professional deep-water or scuba diver, diving instructor, or diving support personnel. Diving instructors educate people on the techniques and safety involved in scuba diving.
Finally, if you concentrated in Marine Science, you can expect a career as a captain, executive officer, engineers and ranking mates, or coastal and ocean-going vessels. Water transportation workers operate and maintain the ships that are commercial and business.
Majoring in marine transportation can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to marine transportation.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to marine transportation.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Motorboat Operators | 1,512,311 | 3.1% |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | 1,041,739 | -0.1% |
| Ship Engineers | 946,411 | -3.5% |
| Commercial Divers | 402,389 | 13.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of marine transportation graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,096 |
| 4 years | $58,110 |
| 5 years | $66,829 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for marine transportation graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers marine transportation grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Motorboat Operators | $67,056 |
| Ship Engineers | $67,019 |
| Commercial Divers | $52,232 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $27,869 |
With 20 different marine transportation programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased marine transportation school rankings to help you.
Those considering marine transportation, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer | 561 |
| Diver, Professional and Instructor | 539 |
| Marine Transportation, Other | 58 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ground Transportation | 22,968 |
| Air Transportation | 11,070 |
| Transportation and Materials Moving, Other | 34 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
