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Seaman vs merchant seaman

The differences between seamen and merchant seamen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a seaman has an average salary of $55,413, which is higher than the $53,140 average annual salary of a merchant seaman.

The top three skills for a seaman include safety equipment, navigational aids and coast guard. The most important skills for a merchant seaman are cargo operations, cranes, and general maintenance.

Seaman vs merchant seaman overview

SeamanMerchant Seaman
Yearly salary$55,413$53,140
Hourly rate$26.64$25.55
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs174627
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age3333
Years of experience--

Seaman vs merchant seaman salary

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

SeamanMerchant Seaman
Average salary$55,413$53,140
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $136,000Between $23,000 And $122,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between seaman and merchant seaman education

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

SeamanMerchant Seaman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorBusinessCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Seaman vs merchant seaman demographics

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

SeamanMerchant Seaman
Average age3333
Gender ratioMale, 71.9% Female, 28.1%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 16.0% Unknown, 9.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 4.9% White, 54.5% 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 seaman and merchant seaman duties and responsibilities

Seaman example responsibilities.

  • Conduct daily JSA's, occasionally lead weekly fire and boat drills.
  • Help in the safe operation of deploying and recovering small boats in the events of coast guard search and seizures.
  • Maintain first aid and CPR certifications.
  • Navigate by using several different types of compasses.
  • Perform supply loading duties from dock using booms and cranes.
  • Work as a seaman in the USCG preparing for a USCG rating/career
  • 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.

Seaman vs merchant seaman skills

Common seaman skills
  • Safety Equipment, 23%
  • Navigational Aids, 10%
  • Coast Guard, 9%
  • Law Enforcement, 9%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Firefighting, 4%
Common merchant seaman skills
  • Cargo Operations, 43%
  • Cranes, 40%
  • General Maintenance, 17%

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