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Merchant seaman vs deckhand oiler

The differences between merchant seamen and deckhand oilers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a merchant seaman has an average salary of $53,140, which is higher than the $52,158 average annual salary of a deckhand oiler.

The top three skills for a merchant seaman include cargo operations, cranes and general maintenance. The most important skills for a deckhand oiler are rig, maintenance tasks, and emergency equipment.

Merchant seaman vs deckhand oiler overview

Merchant SeamanDeckhand Oiler
Yearly salary$53,140$52,158
Hourly rate$25.55$25.08
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs627361
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age3333
Years of experience--

Merchant seaman vs deckhand oiler salary

Merchant seamen and deckhand oilers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Merchant SeamanDeckhand Oiler
Average salary$53,140$52,158
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $122,000Between $24,000 And $112,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between merchant seaman and deckhand oiler education

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

Merchant SeamanDeckhand Oiler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Merchant seaman vs deckhand oiler demographics

Here are the differences between merchant seamen' and deckhand oilers' demographics:

Merchant SeamanDeckhand Oiler
Average age3333
Gender ratioMale, 94.3% Female, 5.7%Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%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%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between merchant seaman and deckhand oiler duties and responsibilities

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.

Deckhand oiler example responsibilities.

  • Conduct daily JSA's, occasionally lead weekly fire and boat drills.
  • Used lines, wires, ratchets and stationary winches to transport midstream fuel barges at ports across the inland waterway system.
  • Pump bilges and clean strainers, filters, and centrifuges.
  • Create database to track and schedule maintenance for engines, tools, and centrifuges.

Merchant seaman vs deckhand oiler skills

Common merchant seaman skills
  • Cargo Operations, 43%
  • Cranes, 40%
  • General Maintenance, 17%
Common deckhand oiler skills
  • Rig, 60%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 26%
  • Emergency Equipment, 14%

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