The map below shows you the number of merchant marine job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where merchant marines earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will be more important, where the economy is doing relatively well, and if there will be any lasting effects on the job market. Companies are looking for candidates that can handle the new responsibilities of the job market. Recent graduates actually have an advantage because they are comfortable using newer technologies and have been communicating virtually their whole lives. They can take what they've learned and apply it immediately.We spoke to merchant marine professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the merchant marine job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the merchant marine industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

We spoke to merchant marine professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the merchant marine job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the merchant marine industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

No, merchant marine jobs are not in demand. Merchant marine demand is projected to decline 1% from 2018 to 2028.

Merchant Marine

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What is a merchant marine?

Overview

Merchant marine jobs

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Merchant marine skills

Skills

Merchant marine education

Education

Merchant marine demographics

Demographics

Best companies for merchant marines

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Merchant marine trends

Job Outlook

Merchant marine comparisons

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Full time jobs

Part time jobs

Entry level jobs

right-to-work

relocation

Year	# of jobs	% of population
2021	335	0.00%
2020	322	0.00%
2019	394	0.00%
2018	406	0.00%
2017	390	0.00%

Year	Avg. salary	Hourly rate	% Change
2025	$59,752	$28.73	+3.3%
2024	$57,836	$27.81	+6.3%
2023	$54,404	$26.16	+0.4%
2022	$54,178	$26.05	--3.2%
2021	$55,947	$26.90	+1.9%

Rank	State	Population	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl
1	Maine	1,335,907	25	2%
2	Vermont	623,657	10	2%
3	Virginia	8,470,020	64	1%
4	North Carolina	10,273,419	57	1%
5	Mississippi	2,984,100	39	1%
6	Wisconsin	5,795,483	37	1%
7	Alabama	4,874,747	36	1%
8	Louisiana	4,684,333	34	1%
9	South Carolina	5,024,369	32	1%
10	Connecticut	3,588,184	20	1%
11	New Hampshire	1,342,795	17	1%
12	Hawaii	1,427,538	15	1%
13	Delaware	961,939	13	1%
14	District of Columbia	693,972	10	1%
15	Rhode Island	1,059,639	9	1%
16	Alaska	739,795	8	1%
17	Montana	1,050,493	7	1%
18	South Dakota	869,666	5	1%
19	Wyoming	579,315	5	1%
20	North Dakota	755,393	4	1%

Job outlook for merchant marines in the United States

Are merchant marine jobs in demand?

Merchant marine job and salary trends over time

Merchant marine jobs over time

Merchant marine job growth rate over time

Average merchant marine salary over time

Merchant marine salary by year

Merchant marine jobs by state

Most common states for merchant marines

Most common cities for merchant marines

Merchant marine jobs