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What is a 2nd class petty officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a 2nd class petty officer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $18.36 an hour? That's $38,197 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 38,000 job opportunities across the U.S.
Score2nd Class Petty OfficerUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $38,197

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.58%

Asian 5.68%

Black or African American 11.80%

Hispanic or Latino 19.92%

Unknown 5.30%

White 55.73%

Gender

female 14.06%

male 85.94%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
9.4

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

2nd class petty officer career paths

Key steps to become a 2nd class petty officer

  1. Explore 2nd class petty officer education requirements

    Most common 2nd class petty officer degrees

    Bachelor's

    41.2 %

    Associate

    26.4 %

    High School Diploma

    22.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific 2nd class petty officer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Safety Procedures15.16%
    Combat5.20%
    Preventive Maintenance4.98%
    Sailors4.86%
    Electrical Equipment4.23%
  3. Complete relevant 2nd class petty officer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New 2nd class petty officers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a 2nd class petty officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real 2nd class petty officer resumes.
  4. Research 2nd class petty officer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage logistics of multiple shipments and deliveries within extreme time constraints and conditions.
    • Manage daily operations of a work center, ensuring schedules, maintenance and logistics are fulfilled.
    • Manage CPR and first aid program that involve directing quarterly CPR and first aid classes while tracking employee s certifications.
    • Earn armed forces expeditionary medal, sea service deployment ribbon, navy unit commendation medal.
  5. Prepare your 2nd class petty officer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your 2nd class petty officer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a 2nd class petty officer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable 2nd class petty officer resume templates

    Build a professional 2nd class petty officer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your 2nd class petty officer resume.
    2nd Class Petty Officer Resume
    2nd Class Petty Officer Resume
    2nd Class Petty Officer Resume
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    2nd Class Petty Officer Resume
    2nd Class Petty Officer Resume
    2nd Class Petty Officer Resume
    2nd Class Petty Officer Resume
    2nd Class Petty Officer Resume
  6. Apply for 2nd class petty officer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a 2nd class petty officer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first 2nd class petty officer job

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Average 2nd class petty officer salary

The average 2nd class petty officer salary in the United States is $38,197 per year or $18 per hour. 2nd class petty officer salaries range between $24,000 and $60,000 per year.

Average 2nd class petty officer salary
$38,197 Yearly
$18.36 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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