Third mate vs relief mate

The differences between third 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 third mate and a relief mate. Additionally, a third mate has an average salary of $61,803, which is higher than the $60,561 average annual salary of a relief mate.

The top three skills for a third mate include safety equipment, USCG and hazardous materials. The most important skills for a relief mate are engine room, safety drills, and .

Third mate vs relief mate overview

	Third Mate	Relief Mate
Yearly salary	$61,803	$60,561
Hourly rate	$29.71	$29.12
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	383	1,084
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Third mate vs relief mate salary

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

	Third Mate	Relief Mate
Average salary	$61,803	$60,561
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $171,000	Between $22,000 And $165,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between third mate and relief mate education

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

	Third Mate	Relief Mate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Marine Transportation	Marine Transportation
Most common college	-	-

Third mate vs relief mate demographics

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

	Third Mate	Relief Mate
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0%	Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%
Race ratio	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%	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 third mate and relief mate duties and responsibilities

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.

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.

Third mate vs relief mate skills

Common third mate skills

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

Common relief mate skills

Engine Room, 58%
Safety Drills, 42%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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