MARITIME
AT A GLANCE
Maritime is one of the oldest industries in Seattle-King County. It incorporates a variety of land-based occupations in design, manufacturing, and boat repair, along with roles on the water, from engineering to vessel operations. The importance of maritime for both commercial trade and tourism results in stable, well-paying jobs, and an increase in retirements due to an aging workforce creates new career opportunities.
OPPORTUNITY IN MARITIME
NOW
830
businesses in Seattle-King County
19,500
jobs in Seattle-King County
$82,800
average annual earnings
2027
41%
retirement from maritime branches
42%
Support Activities for Water Transportation
40%
Deep Sea & Coastal Water Transportation
35%
Fishing
34%
Ship & Boat Building
MARITIME PROPERTIES
WORK AREAS
Cruises & ferries
Commercial fishing
Private/recreational boats
Science & research
Shipping & transportation
Shipyard
Port
Passion for water/outdoors
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Safety
oriented
Working with hands
Adaptable to rapid change
CAREER MAP
This map includes some of the most in-demand maritime jobs in Seattle-King County, divided between working on a boat (shipside) and working on land (shoreside). Whether you’re at sea or in a shipyard, hands-on experience is essential to career advancement. Career pathways are well-defined by government regulations, particularly for jobs at sea.
Construction
Manfacturing
TRANSFER SKILLS TO
- Operator
- Helper
- Deburrer
- Production Operator
- Inventory Clerk
$18 - $36
Refrigeration Tech
$24 - $39
LESS THAN ASSOCIATE'S OR SOME EXPERIENCE
ASSOCIATE'S OR BACHELOR'S OR MODERATE EXPERIENCE
ADVANCED DEGREE OR SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE
SHIP & BOAT BUILDING, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR
(SHORESIDE)
MARITIME SHIPPING, COMMERCIAL FISHING & WATER TRANSPORTATION
(SHIPSIDE)
START
ENTRY-LEVEL
(MAY REQUIRE CERTIFICATION
Credential may be required!
-
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) - Transportation Safety Administration
-
Merchant Mariners Credential (MMC)
- United States Coast Guard
Engineering
Deck
Sheet Metal Worker
$17 - $38
Marine Carpenter
$18 - $35
Machinist
$19 - $40
Rigger
$26 - $33
Electrician
$20 - $41
Composite Technician
$21 - $26
Painter
$15 - $25
Electronics
Technician
$21 - $28
Mechanic
$16 - $29
Welder/ Pipefitter/ Shipfitter
$17 - $28
Upholsterer
$16 - $28
Boilermaker
$26 - $30
Operating Engineer
$23 - $38
Stationary Engineer
$26 - $40
Oiler
$20 - $26
Junior Engineer
$21 - $27
Designated Duty Engineer
$19 - $31
Third Engineer
Second Engineer
First
Engineer
Chief
Engineer
Able-bodied Seaman
$20 - $33
Bosun
$17 - $32
Third Mate/ Officer
Second Mate/ Officer
Chief Mate/ Officer/ First Mate
Captain/ Master
$33 - $57
Range of hourly wages from entry-level to experienced (2017), Emsi
This map sponsored by
$25 - $58
$27 - $40
