Second mate vs relief mate

The differences between second mates and relief mates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a second mate and a relief mate. Additionally, a relief mate has an average salary of $60,561, which is higher than the $51,304 average annual salary of a second mate.

The top three skills for a second mate include safety equipment, USCG and cargo operations. The most important skills for a relief mate are engine room, safety drills, and .

Second mate vs relief mate overview

	Second Mate	Relief Mate
Yearly salary	$51,304	$60,561
Hourly rate	$24.67	$29.12
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	454	1,084
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Second mate vs relief mate salary

Second mates and relief mates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Second Mate	Relief Mate
Average salary	$51,304	$60,561
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $134,000	Between $22,000 And $165,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between second mate and relief mate education

There are a few differences between a second mate and a relief mate in terms of educational background:

	Second Mate	Relief Mate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Marine Transportation	Marine Transportation
Most common college	-	-

Second mate vs relief mate demographics

Here are the differences between second mates' and relief mates' demographics:

	Second Mate	Relief Mate
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5%	Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between second mate and relief mate duties and responsibilities

Second mate example responsibilities.

Work closely with surveyors, clients and ROV supervisors to achieve safe and effective subsea operations.
Plan and execute engineering missions, both combat and construction.
Inspect and maintain the vessel s safety, firefighting, and medical equipment.
Conduct all safety, firefighting, and lifesaving equipment inspections.
Supervise intermediate and depot level electrical maintenance of F-18F aircraft as well as maintained HAZMAT and tool inventory including ordering and labeling
Provide daily maintenance and electronics repair of mission critical navigational, and avionics communication systems; troubleshooting and analysis.

Relief mate example responsibilities.

Work closely with surveyors, clients and ROV supervisors to achieve safe and effective subsea operations.
Trained/Mentore multiple junior officers in dynamic positioning, ballast control, and seamanship.
Trained/Mentore multiple junior officers in dynamic positioning, ballast control, and seamanship.

Second mate vs relief mate skills

Common second mate skills

Safety Equipment, 23%
USCG, 11%
Cargo Operations, 9%
Radar, 5%
Electrical Systems, 5%
Diesel Generators, 4%

Common relief mate skills

Engine Room, 58%
Safety Drills, 42%

Second Mate vs. similar jobs

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Ship Worker responsibilities

Updated January 8, 2025

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