Marine Electrician Job Guide: Shipyards, Yachts and Pay

What does a marine electrician do?

On Navy work, the job is wiring a ship from the inside. The Navy's model apprenticeship standards describe the Marine Electrician trade (Shop 51) as installing, connecting and testing shipboard electrical systems. That covers power and lighting, sound-powered phones, and electric heat and ventilation. Apprentices log hours on interior communications, electronic systems, power and lighting, cable work and connector fabrication. Classroom topics include cable installation, stuffing tubes and kick pipes, multi-cable transits, and the standard methods for installing an electric plant.

Shipyards also employ electricians in neighboring trades. A temporary services electrician supplies naval vessels with shore power, industrial power, heat, telephones and casualty alarm systems while they sit in the yard. A crane electrician keeps the shipyard's cranes running, including motors, control panels, safety systems and hoists. Newport News Shipbuilding uses titles such as deck electrician and maintenance electrician.

Boat and yacht work is a different kind of job. The American Boat & Yacht Council's electrical course covers DC and AC systems on vessels: wire sizing and termination, battery and charging systems, inverters, AC shore power, galvanic isolation, generators, lightning protection and troubleshooting. Expect more 12-volt and lithium battery work, and less heavy distribution.

How do you get into shipyard and naval yard work?

Most shipyard electricians learn the trade on the payroll. The Department of Labor approved national guidelines for Navy shipyard apprenticeships in December 2015. Under them, applicants must be at least 18 and U.S. citizens, meet federal employment rules, and apply through USAJOBS. Selection also uses an academic check, an interview and a physical exam. The term is generally four years with 7,200 hours of on-the-job learning, plus paid classroom time.

Private builders run their own schools. The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia was founded in 1919. It offers apprenticeships in 19 shipbuilding disciplines, with terms of four to eight years, and apprentices can earn college credit. Every shipyard job, private or Navy, falls under OSHA's Part 1915 shipyard employment standards, which cover shipbuilding, ship repair and shipbreaking.

Security clearance and access credentials

Naval work brings background checks. The Navy shipyard guidelines list the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance as a selection requirement. They also warn applicants about other conditions of the job, including nuclear qualification, respirator qualification and travel. If you have a record, get it sorted before you apply.

Naval nuclear work has its own rules. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory requires every employee to be a U.S. citizen and to hold a Department of Energy clearance. It does not grant interim clearances, and processing usually takes about six months. An arrest does not automatically disqualify you, but an open criminal case blocks a clearance until the case closes. On commercial waterfronts, federal rules require a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for anyone who needs unescorted access to secure areas of regulated vessels and port facilities.

Yachts, boatyards and ABYC certification

On the recreational and yacht side, the standard credential is ABYC Marine Electrical Certification. ABYC is an industry standards body, so this is a professional certification, separate from a state license. To be listed as a Certified Technician you need a passing exam score and 2 years of work experience. Certifications last 5 years, and renewal takes a shorter exam plus continuing education.

The exam has 204 questions with a 3.5-hour limit, and you need 83.3% to pass. The exam-only fee is $295 for members and $595 for nonmembers. You can take the course or self-study and sit the exam with a proctor. After that, the Advanced Marine Electrical exam is the next step. ABYC says its Advanced Marine Electrical course suits people with 3 to 5 years in marine electrical design, installation or repair. Holding three or more eligible ABYC certifications qualifies you for Master Technician. Service Management and USCG Recreational Boat Regulations certifications don't count toward it.

Pay

United States (all electricians)

$51,200–86,900

Virginia

$51,100–80,900

Connecticut

$60,100–98,400

Maine

$65,100–87,400

Mississippi

$49,000–66,000

Washington

$69,000–125,800

Hawaii

$72,900–125,000

Florida

$49,300–64,100

USD a year, before tax. Ranges run from the 25th to the 75th percentile for all electricians (SOC 47-2111, the same code the Navy uses for its Marine Electrician apprenticeship), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2025 and adjusted to 2026 with a wage index. State figures are modeled, and BLS does not publish separate pay for marine electricians. Navy shipyard trades are paid on the federal Wage Grade scale, with Marine Electrician set at WG-10 at journey level. Refer to the Electricians salary guide for figures from live adverts.

What you need

Age and citizenship (Navy yards)Navy shipyard apprenticeship guidelines require applicants to be at least 18 and U.S. citizens who meet federal employment rules.
Clearance eligibilityNavy shipyard apprentices must be able to obtain and keep a security clearance. Naval Nuclear Laboratory staff need a DOE clearance, which usually takes about six months.
Physical and job conditionsExpect a physical exam. Navy shipyards may also require nuclear qualification, respirator qualification and travel.
TWIC for port accessFederal rules require a TWIC for anyone who needs unescorted access to secure areas of regulated vessels and maritime facilities.
ABYC certification (boat work)To become an ABYC Certified Technician you must pass the proctored exam and have 2 years of work experience. The certification lasts 5 years.
Shipyard safety rulesAll shipyard work falls under OSHA's Part 1915 standards for shipbuilding, ship repair and shipbreaking.

How to get there

Year 0Apply for a shipyard or boatyard entry jobNavy yard apprenticeships are posted on USAJOBS. Private builders such as Newport News Shipbuilding run their own apprentice schools. Boatyards often hire helpers.
During hiringClear the background checkNaval work needs clearance eligibility. Nuclear work needs a DOE clearance, which usually takes about six months and has no interim option.
Years 1-4Complete the apprenticeshipThe Navy model runs about four years with 7,200 hours of on-the-job learning, plus paid classes on cable work, power and lighting, and interior communications.
Year 4 onwardWork at journey levelIn Navy shipyards, a journey-level Marine Electrician is paid at Wage Grade 10.
Year 2 onwardEarn ABYC Marine Electrical CertificationFor boat and yacht work, pass the 204-question proctored exam. You need 2 years of experience for Technician status.
Year 5 onwardAdd advanced credentialsTake the Advanced Marine Electrical exam. Holding three or more eligible ABYC certifications earns the Master Technician designation. Service Management and USCG Recreational Boat Regulations certifications don't count.

Open now on ElectricalRoles.com

Marine Electrician (Mastertradesperson 3)- 30911HII's Mission Technologies division · Chesapeake, Virginia

See all →

Questions people ask

Do marine electricians need a security clearance?

For Navy shipyard work, yes. The Navy's apprenticeship guidelines make the ability to obtain and keep a clearance a condition of selection. Naval nuclear work at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory needs a DOE clearance, which usually takes about six months.

Is ABYC certification required to work on boats?

ABYC is an industry standards council, and its Marine Electrical Certification is a voluntary professional credential, separate from a government license. Boat owners and employers use it to judge skill. Technician status requires a passing exam score and 2 years of experience.

How long is a naval shipyard electrician apprenticeship?

Under the Navy's national guidelines, the term is generally four years with 7,200 hours of on-the-job learning. Advanced credit can shorten it by no more than six months. The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding runs programs of four to eight years.

Can a non-citizen work as a Navy shipyard electrician?

Navy shipyard apprenticeship guidelines require U.S. citizenship. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory also requires all employees to be U.S. citizens so they can get a DOE clearance.

What is a TWIC and when do I need one?

A TWIC is the Transportation Worker Identification Credential. Federal rules require one for anyone who needs unescorted access to secure areas of regulated vessels, port facilities and offshore facilities. Electricians who work on commercial ships or in regulated ports often need one.

How much do marine electricians make?

BLS does not report marine electricians separately. Across all US electricians, the modeled median is about $65,400, and the middle half earns roughly $51,200 to $86,900. Navy shipyards pay journey-level marine electricians at Wage Grade 10.

What does a marine electrician do in the US?