Boatswain's mate vs second mate

The differences between boatswain's mates and second mates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a boatswain's mate and a second mate. Additionally, a boatswain's mate has an average salary of $59,384, which is higher than the $51,304 average annual salary of a second mate.

The top three skills for a boatswain's mate include general upkeep, boats and load cargo. The most important skills for a second mate are safety equipment, USCG, and cargo operations.

Boatswain's mate vs second mate overview

	Boatswain's Mate	Second Mate
Yearly salary	$59,384	$51,304
Hourly rate	$28.55	$24.67
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	246	454
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Boatswain's mate vs second mate salary

Boatswain's mates and second mates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Boatswain's Mate	Second Mate
Average salary	$59,384	$51,304
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $158,000	Between $19,000 And $134,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between boatswain's mate and second mate education

There are a few differences between a boatswain's mate and a second mate in terms of educational background:

	Boatswain's Mate	Second Mate
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Marine Transportation
Most common college	-	-

Boatswain's mate vs second mate demographics

Here are the differences between boatswain's mates' and second mates' demographics:

	Boatswain's Mate	Second Mate
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2%	Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between boatswain's mate and second mate duties and responsibilities

Boatswain's mate example responsibilities.

Manage all rigging gear on uscg vessel.
Work closely with surveyors, clients and ROV supervisors to achieve safe and effective subsea operations.
Coordinate and instruct first aid and CPR training.
Mentore new personnel in adjusting to USCG environments.
Help aid in disaster reliefs and the war on terrorism.
Operate the helm and speed of ship while at sea.

Second mate example responsibilities.

Work closely with surveyors, clients and ROV supervisors to achieve safe and effective subsea operations.
Plan and execute engineering missions, both combat and construction.
Inspect and maintain the vessel s safety, firefighting, and medical equipment.
Conduct all safety, firefighting, and lifesaving equipment inspections.
Supervise intermediate and depot level electrical maintenance of F-18F aircraft as well as maintained HAZMAT and tool inventory including ordering and labeling
Provide daily maintenance and electronics repair of mission critical navigational, and avionics communication systems; troubleshooting and analysis.

Boatswain's mate vs second mate skills

Common boatswain's mate skills

General Upkeep, 18%
Boats, 11%
Load Cargo, 9%
Law Enforcement, 8%
Deck Equipment, 6%
Coast Guard, 5%

Common second mate skills

Safety Equipment, 23%
USCG, 11%
Cargo Operations, 9%
Radar, 5%
Electrical Systems, 5%
Diesel Generators, 4%

Boatswain's Mate vs. similar jobs

Boatswain's Mate related careers

Boatswain's Mate related jobs

What similar roles do

Ship Worker responsibilities

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs