The United States maritime industry offers dynamic career paths in fields such as shipbuilding, marine engineering, port operations, offshore energy, logistics, and vessel operations. With more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, and Arctic coasts, as well as the robust Ohio-Mississippi River inland waterway system, the U.S. relies on skilled maritime professionals to keep commerce flowing. Marine careers are essential to the movement of goods that power everyday life, from groceries and fuel to cars and construction materials. Whether working on the water or supporting operations ashore, maritime professionals help keep America’s economy strong and its supply chains moving.
American Marine Job Boards
The marine job board below offers a centralized place for maritime professionals to find current opportunities across the industry. Check it out to explore roles that match your experience and career goals.
The United States offers strong marine education opportunities for careers in the maritime transportation industry. With extensive coastlines, major ports, and the Great Lakes, students can study nautical science, marine engineering, maritime logistics, and port management at federal and state maritime academies. Programs blend classroom instruction, simulator training, and sea time aboard training vessels, preparing graduates for leadership roles in shipping, vessel operations, and global trade.
Education Opportunities
State academies:
Great Lakes Maritime Academy
Traverse City, MI
(231) 995-1200 | (877) 824-7447
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy prepares college students to become merchant marine officers and business professionals in the global marketplace. Their training shipand three smaller vessels are utilized daily as a floating classroom and hands-on learning environment. Students set sail at various times throughout the academic year to reinforce the skills taught shoreside. As cadets progress through the Academy, they learn the marine industry first hand by completing essential sea time aboard commercial ships of the Great Lakes and oceans.
State University of New York Maritime College(SUNY)
Bronx, NY
(718) 409-7200
SUNY Maritime College prepares its students for careers in shipping and transportation, government, military, business and power generation. Many students pursue U.S. Coast Guard licenses, which qualifies them to work on offshore vessels.
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME
(207) 326-4311
Maine Maritime Academy students benefit from hands-on education, international sea-time aboard the Training Ship State of Maine or the Schooner Bowdoin, cadet shipping aboard commercial vessels, and cooperative education assignments. MMA students become world-class mariners and engineers, supply chain managers, logistics professionals, and scientists in Maine and beyond.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA
(508) 830-5000
The mission of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy is to provide a quality education for graduates serving in the merchant marine, the military services, and those who serve the interests of the Commonwealth, Nation and global marketplace. The Academy does so by combining a rigorous academic program with a regimented lifestyle that instills honor, responsibility, discipline, and leadership.
Texas A&M Maritime Academy
Galveston, TX
(409) 740-4400
Founded in 1962, The Texas A&M Maritime Academy is the only maritime academy in the United States located on the Gulf Coast. It provides an opportunity for cadets to learn how to operate and maintain an ocean-going vessel. In addition to classroom and field training during the regular school year, cadets sail aboard a state training ship during three summer sea terms to gain practical experience in seamanship, navigation, and engineering operations. At the conclusion of the program, license option cadets complete exams to become U.S. Coast Guard licensed deck or engineering officers in the Merchant Marine and may seek employment in the exciting field of marine transportation.
California Polytechnic State University Maritime Academy
San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 756-1111
Cal Poly Maritime Academy blends a Learn by Doing approach with cutting-edge innovation and a seafaring tradition. Cal Poly Solano Campus is located on the shore of San Pablo Bay, part of the greater San Francisco Bay. Our rigorous programs prepare students and cadets for leadership in the global maritime, transportation and logistics industries. Backed by exceptional job placement rates and impressive starting salaries, graduates leave ready to lead with real-world experience and the confidence to navigate high-stakes careers from day one.
federal academies:
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY
(516) 726-5800
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are committed to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. With 95 percent of the world’s products transported over water, these leaders are vital to the effective operation of our merchant fleet for both commercial and military transport in peace and war.
