Sailors and Marine Oilers
Sailors and marine oilers work aboard ships, performing essential deck and engine operations. They stand watch to monitor vessel safety, handle and maintain cargo equipment, and keep the ship in working order. This work takes place on commercial vessels, fishing boats, and other ships operating on oceans, rivers, and coastal waters.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against sailors and marine oilers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves standing watch on the bridge, looking out for obstacles and monitoring water depth while following orders from the captain or pilot. Sailors break out and rig cargo-handling equipment, inspect and repair rigging and deck gear, and perform routine maintenance throughout the vessel. Tasks vary by weather conditions and the ship's location, with work scheduled around watch rotations that continue around the clock.
Who this work suits
Holland code RCI. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to do well in this work if you prefer hands-on tasks with clear procedures and established routines. People who succeed here are practical problem-solvers who follow directions reliably, work well in structured environments, and are comfortable with repetitive maintenance and inspection work.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training).
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Openings right now
- Single Sailor Program Manager · Commander, Navy Installations Command · Annapolis, Maryland · $27.66–$29.51
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $50,500 | $76,140 | $99,700 | 340 |
| New Jersey | $49,400 | $71,880 | $75,070 | 520 |
| Oregon | $52,120 | $70,410 | $87,950 | 210 |
| Washington | $56,680 | $66,700 | $79,870 | 1,590 |
| Alaska | $49,390 | $63,130 | $73,840 | 480 |
| Tennessee | $50,750 | $60,580 | $73,580 | 870 |
| Delaware | $58,960 | $60,040 | $63,860 | 80 |
| Florida | $43,520 | $57,930 | $73,760 | 2,710 |
| Minnesota | $38,010 | $56,680 | $79,780 | 90 |
| Indiana | $39,980 | $56,570 | $62,650 | 570 |
| Texas | $46,190 | $55,610 | $76,700 | 4,270 |
| California | $43,540 | $55,180 | $68,780 | 1,680 |
All 34 states
Certifications people in this field hold
- STCW - Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations — United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against sailors and marine oilers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 53-5011.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.