Second mate vs third mate

The differences between second mates and third 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 third mate. Additionally, a third mate has an average salary of $61,803, 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 third mate are safety equipment, USCG, and hazardous materials.

Second mate vs third mate overview

	Second Mate	Third Mate
Yearly salary	$51,304	$61,803
Hourly rate	$24.67	$29.71
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	454	383
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Second mate vs third mate salary

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

	Second Mate	Third Mate
Average salary	$51,304	$61,803
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $134,000	Between $22,000 And $171,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between second mate and third mate education

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

	Second Mate	Third Mate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Marine Transportation	Marine Transportation
Most common college	-	-

Second mate vs third mate demographics

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

	Second Mate	Third Mate
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5%	Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between second mate and third 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.

Third mate example responsibilities.

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

Second mate vs third mate skills

Common second mate skills

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

Common third mate skills

Safety Equipment, 29%
USCG, 8%
Hazardous Materials, 7%
Mooring Lines, 7%
PIC, 7%
Coast Guard, 6%

Second Mate vs. similar jobs

Second Mate related careers

Second Mate related jobs

What similar roles do

Ship Worker responsibilities

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs