Deck cadet vs merchant seaman

The differences between deck cadets and merchant seamen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a deck cadet has an average salary of $60,751, which is higher than the $53,140 average annual salary of a merchant seaman.

The top three skills for a deck cadet include cargo operations, safety inspections and safety equipment. The most important skills for a merchant seaman are cargo operations, cranes, and general maintenance.

Deck cadet vs merchant seaman overview

	Deck Cadet	Merchant Seaman
Yearly salary	$60,751	$53,140
Hourly rate	$29.21	$25.55
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	290	627
Job satisfaction	3	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	33	33
Years of experience	-	-

Deck cadet vs merchant seaman salary

Deck cadets and merchant seamen have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Deck Cadet	Merchant Seaman
Average salary	$60,751	$53,140
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $164,000	Between $23,000 And $122,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between deck cadet and merchant seaman education

There are a few differences between a deck cadet and a merchant seaman in terms of educational background:

	Deck Cadet	Merchant Seaman
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Marine Transportation	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Deck cadet vs merchant seaman demographics

Here are the differences between deck cadets' and merchant seamen' demographics:

	Deck Cadet	Merchant Seaman
Average age	33	33
Gender ratio	Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6%	Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.7% Unknown, 9.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 5.2% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%	Black or African American, 17.3% Unknown, 9.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 4.9% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between deck cadet and merchant seaman duties and responsibilities

Deck cadet example responsibilities.

Advance training in firefighting and safety, as well as additional safety, emergency response and first aid training.
Aid logistics officer to purchase uniform and performance items.
Gain tactical experience working with elements ranging from platoon size elements.
Maintain and assure accountability of all platoon level equipment and personnel.
Assist in planning, coordinating and executing of tributes to combat readiness by promoting efficient communication.
Enroll in rigorous leadership training program, physically and mentally condition to develop potential for service to national security strategies.

Merchant seaman example responsibilities.

Conduct daily JSA's, occasionally lead weekly fire and boat drills.
Train in/for basic damage control teams during general quarters and general emergency; shipboard firefighting, controlling compartment flooding.
Serve with responsibility for protecting the environment by ensuring the safe transfer of petrochemicals to vessel, dock, or barge.

Deck cadet vs merchant seaman skills

Common deck cadet skills

Cargo Operations, 26%
Safety Inspections, 24%
Safety Equipment, 11%
USCG, 7%
Docking, 7%
Emergency Drills, 5%

Common merchant seaman skills

Cargo Operations, 43%
Cranes, 40%
General Maintenance, 17%

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Deck Cadet
Deck Cadet vs Merchant Seaman

Updated January 8, 2025

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