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Deck seaman vs merchant seaman

The differences between deck seamen and merchant seamen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a deck seaman has an average salary of $60,197, which is higher than the $53,140 average annual salary of a merchant seaman.

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

Deck seaman vs merchant seaman overview

Deck SeamanMerchant Seaman
Yearly salary$60,197$53,140
Hourly rate$28.94$25.55
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs476627
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age3333
Years of experience--

Deck seaman vs merchant seaman salary

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

Deck SeamanMerchant Seaman
Average salary$60,197$53,140
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $152,000Between $23,000 And $122,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between deck seaman and merchant seaman education

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

Deck SeamanMerchant Seaman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorBusinessCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Deck seaman vs merchant seaman demographics

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

Deck SeamanMerchant Seaman
Average age3333
Gender ratioMale, 84.7% Female, 15.3%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 16.2% Unknown, 9.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 5.0% White, 54.1% 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 Percentage3%3%

Differences between deck seaman and merchant seaman duties and responsibilities

Deck seaman example responsibilities.

  • Conduct daily JSA's, occasionally lead weekly fire and boat drills.
  • Utilize GPS, GIS, side scan sonar, and multibeam sonar technologies.
  • Operate, maintain and repair ship equipment such as winches, cranes, lines, wires, etc.
  • Participate in firefighting and damage control exercises.
  • Perform damage control and emergency firefighting prevention.
  • Qualify to maintain, troubleshoot and repair navigation, communications and radar electronics.
  • Show more

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 seaman vs merchant seaman skills

Common deck seaman skills
  • Helm, 17%
  • Safety Equipment, 17%
  • Boats, 9%
  • Load Cargo, 8%
  • Shipboard Equipment, 4%
  • Navigational Aids, 3%
Common merchant seaman skills
  • Cargo Operations, 43%
  • Cranes, 40%
  • General Maintenance, 17%

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