Sailors and Marine Oilers

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $51,520/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$34,560$83,620

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +2.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 3,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringTroubleshootingRepairingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningCoordinationSpeakingComplex Problem Solving

Top knowledge areas

Public Safety and SecurityTransportationMechanicalEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageMathematicsCustomer and Personal Service

Core tasks

• Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.

• Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.

• Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.

• Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.

• Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.

• Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.

• Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.

• Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Sailors and Marine Oilers?

The median pay for Sailors and Marine Oilers is $51,520 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Sailors and Marine Oilers?

Employment for Sailors and Marine Oilers is projected to change +2.3% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Sailors and Marine Oilers?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

How many job openings are there each year for Sailors and Marine Oilers?

About 3,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.