Able seaman vs merchant marine

The differences between able seamen and merchant marines can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a merchant marine has an average salary of $59,752, which is higher than the $54,205 average annual salary of an able seaman.

The top three skills for an able seaman include cargo operations, general maintenance and emergency equipment. The most important skills for a merchant marine are safety procedures, vessel security, and diesel engines.

Able seaman vs merchant marine overview

	Able Seaman	Merchant Marine
Yearly salary	$54,205	$59,752
Hourly rate	$26.06	$28.73
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	422	11,319
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	33	33
Years of experience	-	-

Able seaman vs merchant marine salary

Able seamen and merchant marines have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Able Seaman	Merchant Marine
Average salary	$54,205	$59,752
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $130,000	Between $23,000 And $151,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between able seaman and merchant marine education

There are a few differences between an able seaman and a merchant marine in terms of educational background:

	Able Seaman	Merchant Marine
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Marine Transportation	Business
Most common college	-	-

Able seaman vs merchant marine demographics

Here are the differences between able seamen' and merchant marines' demographics:

	Able Seaman	Merchant Marine
Average age	33	33
Gender ratio	Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%	Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 17.3% Unknown, 9.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 4.8% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%	Black or African American, 16.0% Unknown, 9.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between able seaman and merchant marine duties and responsibilities

Able seaman example responsibilities.

Conduct daily JSA's, occasionally lead weekly fire and boat drills.
Plan and coordinate training sessions on firefighting and lifesaving equipment.
Serve as helmsman: repair and maintain stowing equipment in preparation for underwater operations.
Work on an offshore lift boat providing crane services for third party contractors working on oil wells and platforms.
Serve as helmsman: repair and maintain stowing equipment in preparation for underwater operations.

Merchant marine example responsibilities.

Manage the logistics and operation of 23 work centers locate at five separate sites in a dynamic operational environment.
Operate and maintain firefighting safety equipment and maintain ships operational condition.
Ensure that the facilities capabilities are complimentary to the task request by FEMA logistics.
Develop and present briefings to management and senior leadership.
Organize multiple emergency airlifts of repair parts and ammunition under stressful combat conditions.
Establish valuable links with receiving combat units and ensure accurate delivery of critical supplies.

Able seaman vs merchant marine skills

Common able seaman skills

Cargo Operations, 14%
General Maintenance, 9%
Emergency Equipment, 8%
Rig, 7%
Mooring Lines, 6%
Coast Guard, 6%

Common merchant marine skills

Safety Procedures, 29%
Vessel Security, 17%
Diesel Engines, 14%
Cargo Operations, 10%
Deck Hand, 9%
USCG, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Able Seaman
Able Seaman vs Merchant Marine

Updated January 8, 2025

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