Also called: Boat Designer, Yacht Naval Architect
Designs sailboats, powerboats, and superyachts that are both beautiful and seaworthy.
A yacht designer sketches hull lines and interiors, runs performance predictions, and works with builders and wealthy clients on every detail, from racing sailboats to 200-foot superyachts.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Degree in naval architecture or yacht design (e.g., Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology), plus portfolio work.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Naval Architecture, Yacht Design, Industrial Design.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI renders concepts in minutes, cutting junior concept work; custom hull design and wealthy clients still want a person.
Classes: Art or drawing, AP Physics, CAD class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2121.
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.