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The differences between deckhands and ordinary seamen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a deckhand has an average salary of $56,163, which is higher than the $52,664 average annual salary of an ordinary seaman.
The top three skills for a deckhand include TWIC, vessel maintenance and mooring lines. The most important skills for an ordinary seaman are vessel maintenance, safety equipment, and ladders.
A deckhand is a seafarer whose role primarily revolves around performing manual tasks, mostly directed by a manager or higher authority. They are mainly responsible for maintaining cleanliness, keeping the machines well-oiled and in good condition, handling cargo, and operating various equipment for navigation and communication. There are also instances when a deckhand can prepare meals, serve clients, and even prepare cabins. Furthermore, a deckhand needs to coordinate with fellow seafarers at all times, as working in a ship can be very unpredictable.
Ordinary seamen are nautical trainees who perform assigned deck jobs such as cleaning the ship, collecting and disposing of garbage, and maintaining various types of ship equipment. These ordinary seamen must assist in the movement of cargo on and off the ship by storing and securing them. They must assist the superior seaman or officers in any aspect of the ship's operation and maintenance. Ordinary seamen must also stand guard both in port and at sea whenever the situation demands.
Deckhands and ordinary seamen have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Deckhand | Ordinary Seaman | |
| Average salary | $56,163 | $52,664 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $145,000 | Between $23,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bayonne, NJ | - |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | - |
| Best paying company | Enterprise Products Partners | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a deckhand and an ordinary seaman in terms of educational background:
| Deckhand | Ordinary Seaman | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between deckhands' and ordinary seamen' demographics:
| Deckhand | Ordinary Seaman | |
| Average age | 33 | 33 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.9% Unknown, 9.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 4.8% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% | Black or African American, 17.4% Unknown, 9.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 4.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |