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Merchant seaman vs steersman

The differences between merchant seamen and steersmen 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 $52,020 average annual salary of a steersman.

The top three skills for a merchant seaman include cargo operations, cranes and general maintenance. The most important skills for a steersman are maintenance tasks, , and .

Merchant seaman vs steersman overview

Merchant SeamanSteersman
Yearly salary$53,140$52,020
Hourly rate$25.55$25.01
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs627455
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age3333
Years of experience--

Merchant seaman vs steersman salary

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

Merchant SeamanSteersman
Average salary$53,140$52,020
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $122,000Between $23,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between merchant seaman and steersman education

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

Merchant SeamanSteersman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common college--

Merchant seaman vs steersman demographics

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

Merchant SeamanSteersman
Average age3333
Gender ratioMale, 94.3% Female, 5.7%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
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, 12.7% Unknown, 9.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 4.0% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between merchant seaman and steersman 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.

Steersman example responsibilities.

  • Conduct daily JSA's, occasionally lead weekly fire and boat drills.
  • Plan and coordinate training sessions on firefighting and lifesaving equipment.
  • Serve with responsibility for protecting the environment by ensuring the safe transfer of petrochemicals to vessel, dock, or barge.

Merchant seaman vs steersman skills

Common merchant seaman skills
  • Cargo Operations, 43%
  • Cranes, 40%
  • General Maintenance, 17%
Common steersman skills
  • Maintenance Tasks, 100%

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