Also called: Inland Marine Engineer
Keeps the big diesel engines, generators, and pumps running on a river towboat.
A towboat engineer checks engines every few hours, changes filters, fixes pumps, and keeps the boat running for weeks on the river.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. Coast Guard engineer credential or mechanical experience.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Marine Diesel Technology (trade school).
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 53-5031: Average (3% to 4%).
Low risk for 10 years. Engine sensors give earlier warnings, but filter changes and pump repairs on the river stay hands-on.
Classes: Auto mechanics CTE class, Physics, Welding CTE class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-5031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.