How To Become A Galley Hand: What It Is and Career Path

What is a galley hand and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The names for basic things onboard a ship are often very different from their names onshore. For example, windows are called portholes and kitchens are called galleys. Therefore, galley hands are people who work in the kitchen on a ship or other similar vessel. Some galley hands find very lucrative positions working on oil rigs.

Galley hands need to have a lot of similar skills that food workers on land also have, such as food prep, cleaning, and knowledge of sanitary procedures. However, they need to be able to adjust their skills to the confined spaces of a galley and manage the challenges that come with working in a ship's kitchen, such as a lack of access to fresh produce.

Very few galley hands have bachelor's degrees since the skills needed for this position are usually learned on the job. Some basic experience with food preparation is usually helpful. Galley hands also need to be ready to be away from home for a long time, in cramped conditions, because they're on duty as long as the voyage or shift onboard an oil rig lasts.

ScoreGalley HandUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $47,014

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.25%

Asian 1.22%

Black or African American 9.82%

Hispanic or Latino 19.22%

Unknown 4.20%

White 63.30%

Gender

female 9.95%

male 90.05%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

1.8

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a galley hand

Explore galley hand education requirements

Most common galley hand degrees

High School Diploma

56.9 %

Diploma

19.0 %

Associate

11.2 %

Start to develop specific galley hand skills

Skills	Percentages
Clean Rooms	24.93%
Rig	22.34%
Meal Preparation	11.12%
Fire Drills	7.83%
TWIC	6.23%

Research galley hand duties and responsibilities

Manage and perform rig operations, repair large mud pump motors, hoppers, shakers, generators, valves and agitators.
Participate in JSA, S.T.O.P.
Maintain a low food cost, do payroll, hold weekly safety meetings, order groceries.
Rig interior appearance maintenance which include the following daily responsibilities: restroom cleaning, making beds and washing uniforms.

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