Boatswain's mate vs third mate

The differences between boatswain's mates and third 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 third mate. Additionally, a third mate has an average salary of $61,803, which is higher than the $59,384 average annual salary of a boatswain's mate.

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

Boatswain's mate vs third mate overview

	Boatswain's Mate	Third Mate
Yearly salary	$59,384	$61,803
Hourly rate	$28.55	$29.71
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	246	383
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Boatswain's mate vs third mate salary

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

	Boatswain's Mate	Third Mate
Average salary	$59,384	$61,803
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $158,000	Between $22,000 And $171,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between boatswain's mate and third mate education

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

	Boatswain's Mate	Third Mate
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Business	Marine Transportation
Most common college	-	-

Boatswain's mate vs third mate demographics

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

	Boatswain's Mate	Third Mate
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2%	Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between boatswain's mate and third 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.

Third mate example responsibilities.

Work closely with surveyors, clients and ROV supervisors to achieve safe and effective subsea operations.
Develop and implement procedures for LNG cargo transfer and ballast operations.
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 third 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 third mate skills

Safety Equipment, 29%
USCG, 8%
Hazardous Materials, 7%
Mooring Lines, 7%
PIC, 7%
Coast Guard, 6%

Boatswain's Mate vs. similar jobs

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Ship Worker responsibilities

Updated January 8, 2025

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