Post job

Boatswain's mate vs second officer

The differences between boatswain's mates and second officers 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 officer. Additionally, a boatswain's mate has an average salary of $59,384, which is higher than the $50,426 average annual salary of a second officer.

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

Boatswain's mate vs second officer overview

Boatswain's MateSecond Officer
Yearly salary$59,384$50,426
Hourly rate$28.55$24.24
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs24655,822
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Boatswain's mate vs second officer salary

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

Boatswain's MateSecond Officer
Average salary$59,384$50,426
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $158,000Between $22,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between boatswain's mate and second officer education

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

Boatswain's MateSecond Officer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessMarine Transportation
Most common college--

Boatswain's mate vs second officer demographics

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

Boatswain's MateSecond Officer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 85.8% Female, 14.2%Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between boatswain's mate and second officer 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.
  • Show more

Second officer example responsibilities.

  • Comply with stringent local, federal, USCG and international regulations.
  • Train, direct and supervise ship operators in proper and effective use of GPS, radar and radio equipment while underway.
  • Operate flight instruments, navigation systems and radar equipment on C-130E aircraft.
  • Conform and build training requirements that meets or exceeds OSHA and CFR guidelines.
  • Trained/Mentore multiple junior officers in dynamic positioning, ballast control, and seamanship.
  • Develop and implement procedures for LNG cargo transfer and ballast operations.

Boatswain's mate vs second officer 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 officer skills
  • Safety Equipment, 37%
  • Vessel Operations, 24%
  • Chart Corrections, 5%
  • USCG, 5%
  • Emergency Equipment, 5%
  • GPS, 5%

Browse transportation jobs