Fast Facts / Marine Economy
Marine Economy
The term “marine jobs,” used below, covers the U.S. oceans and Great Lakes and is based on the most recent data available (2018) from the Marine Economy Satellite Account data set, a joint project between NOAA and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
2.4 Million Jobs
The marine sector provides 2.4 million high-paying jobs annually.
$397 Billion in Goods and Services
Annually, the marine economy contributes about $397 billion in gross domestic product.
$665.7 Billion in Sales
In 2019, the marine economy produced $665.7 billion in sales—significantly more than farming, data processing and internet publishing, or utilities.
Impressive Growth
Sales within the marine sector grew by 5.1 percent in 2019 over the previous year. In comparison, the national economy grew by 1.8 percent. The following four sectors within the marine economy accounted for the largest contribution of 2018 to 2019 growth:
- Tourism and recreation – $2.7 billion growth
- Defense and public administration – $11.4 billion growth
- Oil and gas – $8.7 billion growth
- Offshore minerals – $12.3 billion growth
- Shipbuilding – $8.1 billion growth
Some Big Earners
Private marine sectors with the highest paid jobs include utilities (average $140,000 annually); oil and gas (average $133,000 annually); ship and boat building (average $108,000 annually); and transportation (average $100,000 annually). In comparison, the national total economy average annual salary is $71,800.
A Variety of Industries
The following figures demonstrate annual gross domestic product for the 10 marine sectors:
- Tourism and recreation – $149 billion
- Defense and public administration – $115 billion
- Offshore minerals – $57 billion
- Transportation – $26 billion
- Fisheries and other bio-products – $14 billion
- Ship and boat building – $12 billion
- Research and education – $7.2 billion
- Construction – $4.3 billion
- Professional and business services – $3 billion
Handout: America's Marine Economy
Data Source: Marine Economy Statistics. Nominal statistics only. Not adjusted for inflation. For marine economy statistics on a state and county level, see the ENOW database.