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Sailors and Marine Oilers

What do they do?

Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels. Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.

Also known as:

AB Seaman (Able Bodied Seaman), AB Watchman (Able Bodied Watchman), Able Seaman, Boatman, Deck Hand, Deckhand, Deckhand Engineer, Merchant Marine, Merchant Mariner, Oiler, Pilot Boat Deckhand, Relief Deckhand, Tankerman

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Sailors and Marine Oilers is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.

Projected Employment in OH

No Data Available
  • 0%

    Change

    Ranks #36 in job growth rate
    20

    Job Openings

    Ranks #29 in net job growth

Best colleges for Sailors and Marine Oilers

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Colleges with the most graduates that become Sailors and Marine Oilers

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • High school diploma equivalent  (37%)
  • Some college, no degree  (28%)
  • Bachelor's degree  (16%)
  • Less than high school diploma  (8%)
  • Associate's degree  (7%)
  • Master's degree  (2%)
  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (1%)

Typical College Majors

Most Popular Majors that prepare Sailors and Marine Oilers

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People in this career often have these skills:

  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

People in this career often know a lot about:

  • Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

People in this career often have talent in:

  • Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
  • Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Depth Perception - The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
  • Secure watercraft to docks, wharves or other vessels.
  • Assist others during emergencies.
  • Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
  • Operate ships or other watercraft.
  • Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
  • Load shipments, belongings, or materials.
  • Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Connect hoses to equipment or machinery.
  • Control pumps or pumping equipment.
  • Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.
  • Record operational details of travel.
  • Set up material handling gear or equipment, such as rigging, packaging, or temporary structures.
  • Maintain watercraft engines or machinery.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Clean vessels or marine equipment.
  • Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
  • Paint surfaces or equipment.
  • Direct maintenance or repair activities.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

careeronestop logo Videos: CareerOneStop , USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development

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