- Salary statistics
- Machinist, ship salary
Machinist, ship salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
37 500 - 55 900 SEK / month
Transport
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Salary progression Machinist, ship
What does a marine engineer on a ship do? – Tasks and work environment
A marine engineer on a ship is responsible for operating and maintaining the vessel's mechanical systems, including main engines, auxiliary engines, and technical installations. The work ranges from daily inspections and troubleshooting to major repairs and preventive maintenance. The engineer collaborates closely with other crew members to ensure all systems function optimally and safety onboard is maintained. The work environment is often technically advanced and can involve working in noisy, hot, and confined spaces, sometimes during long periods at sea.
Salary development over time
The salary of a ship's engineer has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 44,300 SEK per month. In 2023, it decreased slightly to 45 100 SEK, then increased to 51 700 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 1.8% over the period, with the most recent year showing a clear positive trend. This development can be linked to increased demand for technically skilled crew members and a general pressure to align wages with inflation and the skills shortage in the maritime sector. Wage variations between years also reflect the industry’s dependence on economic cycles and the international shipping market.
Marine engineer salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 51 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 33,400 SEK/month (men), 35,700 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 51,000 SEK/month (men), 39,100 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 271 SEK
- Gender differences: Men 52 400 SEK, women 39,100–35,700 SEK (salary data limited for women)
- Regional differences: Data not available
Education and qualifications
To work as a marine engineer on a ship, a post-secondary education in marine engineering is required, often combined with practical sea service. The education combines theoretical studies in mechanical engineering and safety at sea with extensive sea training. Certification and approved sea service are mandatory, and some positions require additional specialized courses or higher qualifications.
- Education: Post-secondary vocational training in marine engineering (2–4 years)
- Certification: Marine engineering certification according to Transport Agency requirements
- Sea service: Sea training/internship onboard ships
- Prerequisites: Basic technical high school education recommended
- Courses: Safety training and specialized courses for advanced machinery systems
Working as a marine engineer on a ship often involves long periods at sea, which can provide unique opportunities to see the world and work in international teams. Many engineers also develop strong problem-solving skills due to the challenges onboard, where technical faults must be resolved quickly and independently.
Common benefits and compensations
Marine engineers on ships are often offered benefits such as free accommodation and meals onboard, compensation for unsocial hours, overtime pay, and sometimes per diems for international routes. Many shipping companies also provide wellness allowances, pension contributions, and opportunities for further training within the company.
Competition and challenges
The profession of marine engineer on ships involves technical and physical challenges, where quick problem-solving and resilience are important qualities. Competition for jobs varies depending on ship type and geographical area, but the demand for qualified engineers is often limited, providing good opportunities for newly trained personnel. However, the profession requires great flexibility, as work periods onboard can be long and involve absence from home for weeks at a time. Technological innovations and digitalization also influence work tasks, requiring continuous skills development.
Tips for those who want to become a marine engineer on ships
To succeed as a marine engineer, it’s helpful to have a technical interest and a desire to constantly learn new things. Precision is crucial, especially during maintenance and troubleshooting of complex machinery systems. Problem-solving under pressure is a valuable skill, as many onboard situations require quick decisions. The ability to collaborate and communicate clearly with other crew members is also important, as the work is often team-based. Flexibility and the ability to handle long periods at sea facilitate adaptation to the work environment. Finally, a sense of responsibility and safety awareness are central qualities to maintain operations and onboard security.
Key facts about Marine Engineer on ships
- Educational level: Post-secondary vocational training (2–4 years)
- Work environment: Onboard ships, often in engine rooms
- Typical work pattern: Shifts and long sea periods
- Job openings in the profession: 412
- Certification requirements: Marine engineering certificate
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a marine engineer, there are opportunities to advance to higher positions such as chief engineer, technical manager, or specialist in specific machinery systems. Further training and specialization in areas like automation, environmental technology, or safety can open doors to land-based roles within shipping companies or maritime authorities. According to employment agency statistics, there are currently 412 job vacancies in the marine engineering profession, but no precise forecast for future recruitment needs due to limited data. The industry is expected to continue needing qualified engineers, especially as older generations retire and technological development increases skill requirements.
Frequently asked questions about Marine Engineer on ships
- What does a marine engineer earn?
- The average salary is 51 700 SEK per month, but wages vary depending on experience, education, and sector. - What education is required to become a marine engineer?
- Post-secondary education in marine engineering and sea service are required, along with approved certification. - Are there differences in salary between men and women?
- Yes, men have a maximum salary of 51,000 SEK and women 39,100 SEK; salary data for women is limited. - What is the work environment like for marine engineers on ships?
- The work environment is technically advanced, often noisy and hot, and involves periods of long shifts at sea. - What career opportunities are there for marine engineers?
- With experience, marine engineers can advance to chief engineer, technical manager, or specialists in various technical fields. - How is the job market?
- Currently, there are 412 job openings in the marine engineering profession, but no exact forecast for future recruitment needs. - What personal qualities are important for the profession?
- Technical interest, accuracy, problem-solving skills, and teamwork are key qualities.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 42100 kr | 50900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 46500 kr | 53000 kr | |
| Snitt | 44500 kr | 51700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 94% | 32800 kr | 37800 kr |
| 25-34 | 87% | 41100 kr | 50500 kr |
| 35-44 | 73% | 45400 kr | 52900 kr |
| 45-54 | 47300 kr | 55100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 89% | 47600 kr | 55200 kr |
| 65-68 | 48800 kr | 56500 kr | |
| Snitt | 81% | 43100 kr | 51100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 94% | 32800 kr | 37800 kr |
| 25-34 | 87% | 41100 kr | 50500 kr |
| 35-44 | 73% | 45400 kr | 52900 kr |
| 45-54 | 47300 kr | 55100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 89% | 47600 kr | 55200 kr |
| 65-68 | 48800 kr | 56500 kr | |
| Snitt | 81% | 43100 kr | 51100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 42700 kr | 51600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 47000 kr | 53500 kr | |
| Snitt | 45100 kr | 52400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 94% | 33300 kr | 38200 kr |
| 25-34 | 87% | 41600 kr | 51300 kr |
| 35-44 | 73% | 46000 kr | 53600 kr |
| 45-54 | 47300 kr | 55100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 89% | 47600 kr | 55500 kr |
| 65-68 | 48800 kr | 56500 kr | |
| Snitt | 81% | 43700 kr | 51900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 94% | 33300 kr | 38200 kr |
| 25-34 | 87% | 41600 kr | 51300 kr |
| 35-44 | 73% | 46000 kr | 53600 kr |
| 45-54 | 47300 kr | 55100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 89% | 47600 kr | 55500 kr |
| 65-68 | 48800 kr | 56500 kr | |
| Snitt | 81% | 43700 kr | 51900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 94% | 31000 kr | 36000 kr |
| 25-34 | 87% | 37200 kr | 44500 kr |
| 35-44 | 73% | 34100 kr | 39300 kr |
| 55-64 | 89% | 46900 kr | 49200 kr |
| Snitt | 81% | 36000 kr | 41900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 94% | 31000 kr | 36000 kr |
| 25-34 | 87% | 37200 kr | 44500 kr |
| 35-44 | 73% | 34100 kr | 39300 kr |
| 55-64 | 89% | 46900 kr | 49200 kr |
| Snitt | 81% | 36000 kr | 41900 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Machinist, ship has the SSYK code 3151, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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