Boat deckhand vs waterman

The differences between boat deckhands and watermen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a boat deckhand and a waterman. Additionally, a waterman has an average salary of $57,125, which is higher than the $35,090 average annual salary of a boat deckhand.

The top three skills for a boat deckhand include boats, safety drills and unload materials. The most important skills for a waterman are patient care, IV, and vital signs.

Boat deckhand vs waterman overview

	Boat Deckhand	Waterman
Yearly salary	$35,090	$57,125
Hourly rate	$16.87	$27.46
Growth rate	1%	9%
Number of jobs	674	95
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Boat deckhand vs waterman salary

Boat deckhands and watermen have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Boat Deckhand	Waterman
Average salary	$35,090	$57,125
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $58,000	Between $26,000 And $121,000
Highest paying City	Baton Rouge, LA	-
Highest paying state	New Jersey	-
Best paying company	David Evans and Associates	-
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between boat deckhand and waterman education

There are a few differences between a boat deckhand and a waterman in terms of educational background:

	Boat Deckhand	Waterman
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Biology	Nursing
Most common college	-	-

Boat deckhand vs waterman demographics

Here are the differences between boat deckhands' and watermen' demographics:

	Boat Deckhand	Waterman
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%	Male, 67.2% Female, 32.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 5.9% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.8%	Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 6.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between boat deckhand and waterman duties and responsibilities

Boat deckhand example responsibilities.

Spearhead cross-functional initiative to achieve successful whole shipments of wild Alaskan salmofrozen and gut.
Spearhead cross-functional initiative to achieve successful whole shipments of wild Alaskan salmofrozen and gut.
Involve in client relations, navigation, hunter safety, boat maintenance and general operation of an Alaskan bush camp.

Waterman example responsibilities.

Interact routinely with patients, observe behaviors and communicate significant observations to nursing staff.
Gain extensive knowledge in wooden boat building, reconstruction and finishing.
Work a small boat to catch crabs, clams, and oysters for sale to suppliers.
Record target and incidental catch of recreational and charter boats participating in the large pelagic fisheries.

Boat deckhand vs waterman skills

Common boat deckhand skills

Boats, 28%
Safety Drills, 27%
Unload Materials, 27%
Coast Guard Regulations, 9%
General Maintenance, 6%
Engine Room, 4%

Common waterman skills

Patient Care, 29%
IV, 24%
Vital Signs, 24%
Blood Pressure, 23%

Updated January 8, 2025

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