# Sailors and Marine Oilers

> Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels. Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sailors-and-marine-oilers
- SOC code: 53-5011.00
- Career family: Transportation
- Median annual pay: $51,520 (10th percentile $34,560, 90th percentile $83,620)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.2%
- Openings a year: 3,600
- Typical entry education: No formal credential
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 27 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 4 |
| Enterprising (E) | 24 |
| Conventional (C) | 49 |

## What you'd do

- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 81/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 81/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 80/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 73/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 72/100)
- Getting Information (importance 70/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 70/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Active Learning, Active Listening, Coordination, Critical Thinking

## Knowledge

Transportation, English Language, Public Safety and Security, Geography, Mechanical, Education and Training, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, Telecommunications

## Also called

AB Seaman (Able Bodied Seaman), AB Watchman (Able Bodied Watchman), Able Seaman, Barge Hand, Bargeman, Boat Deckhand, Boat Hand, Boatman, Buoy Tender, Deck Hand

## Related careers

- [Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/captains-mates-and-pilots-of-water-vessels): $92,460 median pay
- [Ship Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/ship-engineers): $109,530 median pay
- [Riggers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/riggers): $62,640 median pay
- [Motorboat Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/motorboat-operators): $47,520 median pay
- [Dredge Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/dredge-operators): $49,640 median pay
- [Hoist and Winch Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hoist-and-winch-operators): $56,450 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.