Resources

Career Changers

I'm interested in working in shipbuilding and repair. Where can I start?

Shipyards offer you rewarding and challenging careers and are located throughout the United States. Click on the links below to find out what shipyards are located in your region of the country.

Atlantic

Great Lakes & Inland Waterways

Gulf Coast

Northeast

West Coast

I'm think i'm ready to change careers but i'm not sure which direction to go!

Careerpath.com

Test your level of satisfaction with your current job.

Career Communications, Inc.

Take a career interest inventory to see where your true interests are.

can i move up once I start working at a shipyard?

The shipbuilding and repair industry offers a variety of career paths and opportunities for advancement. Whether you choose to work your way up the career ladder on the yard or to go to college to earn a degree, with the right technical and leadership skills and a good work ethic, there's no limit to where you can go!

Shipbuilding and Repair Career Paths

How much can I earn?

Shipyards offer competitive wages. Your education and skill levels determine how much you make. Below are a few examples of what you can expect to earn working in today's shipyards:

Foremen and computer-aided draftsmen earn between $35,000 and $60,000

a year.

Skilled craftsmen such as welders, riggers, electricians, machinists, and

carpenters earn between $42,000 and $45,000 annually.

Naval architects and engineers make $51,000 to $95,000 each year.

Learn more about salaries and benefits by clicking on the links below:

Career One Stop

Salaries and benefits by occupation

Monster.com

Salaries and benefits by occupation and region

Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-09

Learn everything you wanted to know about an occupation

Visit the sites below to search for jobs where you live.

Career One Stop

Job search tools and additional resources

Monster.com

Job search tools and additional resources

Where do I go to upgrade my existing skills or learn new ones?

While valued, a college education is not needed; most shipyards will train on-the-job through formal apprenticeship or other in-house training programs. However, many shipyards offer tuition assistance for employees who want to advance on the job by earning a formal degree.

Below are links to colleges offering programs related to shipbuilding and repair:

Alabama