Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of ship workers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of ship workers:
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Third Officer is the highest-paid type of ship worker with an average salary of $121,038 and an average hourly rate of $58.19.
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The second highest-paying type of ship worker is pilot boat officer, with an average salary of $84,948.
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The average ship worker salary is $28,576 per year, and the average hourly pay is $13.74.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a ship worker, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of ship workers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of ship workers:
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Third Officer
Average Salary: $121,038
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Pilot Boat Officer
Average Salary: $84,948
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Third Mate
Average Salary: $61,803
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Deck Mate
Average Salary: $60,597
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Relief Mate
Average Salary: $60,561
Below is a full table of the average pay for various ship worker that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Ship Workers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Third Officer | |
| 2 | Pilot Boat Officer | |
| 3 | Third Mate | |
| 4 | Deck Mate | |
| 5 | Relief Mate | |
| 6 | Skipper | |
| 7 | Boatswain’s Mate | |
| 8 | Fishing Vessel Mate | |
| 9 | Training Mate | |
| 10 | Tugboat Mate | |
| 11 | Relief Master | |
| 12 | Coastal Tug Mate | |
| 13 | Boatman | |
| 14 | Second Mate | |
| 15 | Second Officer | |
| 16 | Mate | |
| 17 | Navigation Officer | |
| 18 | First Mate | |
| 19 | Generator Worker | |
| 20 | Ferry Terminal Agent |
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for ship workers.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Ship Worker Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid ship worker job?
The highest-paid ship worker job is a third officer. Third Officers earn an average salary of $121,038, which is $ 58.19 hourly.
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What is a good salary for a ship worker?
A good salary for a ship worker is $28,576 or more. The average ship worker salary is $28,576, so those making at least $28,576 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average ship worker salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a ship worker, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $28,576 average, as this includes all ship workers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Ship Worker jobs pay well?
No, ship worker jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some ship worker jobs pay better than others, but the average ship worker salary of $28,576 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many ship worker jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of ship workers earning $0 a year on average.
Ship Workers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a ship worker. Do your research on the going rate for a ship worker in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do ship workers get paid the most?
Ship Workers get paid the most in West Virginia. In West Virginia, ship workers earn an average annual salary of $31,693 and an average hourly wage of $15.24.
Following WV, the states with the highest-paid ship workers are Washington, Vermont, and Nebraska, with average annual salaries of $29,514, $34,655, and $28,413 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid ship worker salaries are:
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Baltimore, MD – $32,416
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Portland, ME – $32,087
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Newark, NJ – $31,939
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
