U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsStand 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.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31,500 | 5.1 % | $19.11 | $39,760 | 1.5 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $10.66 | $13.66 | $18.36 | $23.21 | $28.83 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $22,170 | $28,420 | $38,190 | $48,280 | $59,970 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | 9,350 | 23.59 | $18.59 | $38,670 |
| Inland Water Transportation | 7,670 | 31.58 | $19.26 | $40,060 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | 5,390 | 5.94 | $20.21 | $42,030 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 2,090 | 0.10 | $19.95 | $41,490 |
| State Government (OES Designation) | 1,370 | 0.06 | $20.16 | $41,940 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Water Transportation | 7,670 | 31.58 | $19.26 | $40,060 |
| Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | 9,350 | 23.59 | $18.59 | $38,670 |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water | 1,200 | 8.71 | $14.36 | $29,870 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | 5,390 | 5.94 | $20.21 | $42,030 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing | 830 | 0.65 | $18.56 | $38,600 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | 110 | 0.06 | $27.14 | $56,440 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | (8) | (8) | $26.75 | $55,640 |
| Local Government (OES Designation) | 900 | 0.02 | $22.88 | $47,580 |
| Support Activities for Mining | (8) | (8) | $22.56 | $46,920 |
| Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 110 | 0.33 | $21.65 | $45,040 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 5,920 | 3.17 | 13.11 | $19.50 | $40,560 |
| Florida | 2,950 | 0.41 | 1.68 | $16.33 | $33,970 |
| Virginia | 2,610 | 0.73 | 3.01 | $20.35 | $42,340 |
| Texas | 2,280 | 0.22 | 0.89 | $19.26 | $40,060 |
| Washington | 2,270 | 0.82 | 3.40 | $22.48 | $46,760 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 5,920 | 3.17 | 13.11 | $19.50 | $40,560 |
| Alaska | 850 | 2.67 | 11.03 | $22.98 | $47,800 |
| Washington | 2,270 | 0.82 | 3.40 | $22.48 | $46,760 |
| Kentucky | 1,300 | 0.74 | 3.05 | $14.91 | $31,020 |
| Virginia | 2,610 | 0.73 | 3.01 | $20.35 | $42,340 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 1,950 | 0.23 | 0.95 | $25.80 | $53,670 |
| Alaska | 850 | 2.67 | 11.03 | $22.98 | $47,800 |
| Washington | 2,270 | 0.82 | 3.40 | $22.48 | $46,760 |
| Missouri | 310 | 0.12 | 0.49 | $22.43 | $46,650 |
| Oregon | 210 | 0.13 | 0.53 | $22.42 | $46,640 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA | 2,680 | 5.18 | 21.42 | $19.25 | $40,040 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 2,540 | 3.55 | 14.70 | $20.35 | $42,340 |
| Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metropolitan Division | 2,050 | 2.05 | 8.47 | $15.57 | $32,380 |
| Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division | 1,960 | 1.39 | 5.75 | $22.92 | $47,670 |
| Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX | 1,940 | 0.74 | 3.04 | $19.74 | $41,070 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 1,930 | 20.82 | 86.10 | $19.52 | $40,600 |
| New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 1,180 | 0.23 | 0.94 | $27.81 | $57,850 |
| Mobile, AL | 610 | 3.65 | 15.10 | $16.67 | $34,670 |
| Nassau-Suffolk, NY Metropolitan Division | 590 | 0.48 | 2.00 | $21.93 | $45,610 |
| Baltimore-Towson, MD | 410 | 0.32 | 1.33 | $20.53 | $42,700 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 1,930 | 20.82 | 86.10 | $19.52 | $40,600 |
| New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA | 2,680 | 5.18 | 21.42 | $19.25 | $40,040 |
| Mobile, AL | 610 | 3.65 | 15.10 | $16.67 | $34,670 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 2,540 | 3.55 | 14.70 | $20.35 | $42,340 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 260 | 2.40 | 9.93 | $14.22 | $29,570 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 210 | 2.17 | 8.98 | $22.12 | $46,000 |
| Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metropolitan Division | 2,050 | 2.05 | 8.47 | $15.57 | $32,380 |
| Ocean City, NJ | 70 | 1.75 | 7.22 | $18.54 | $38,570 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 70 | 1.56 | 6.47 | $19.91 | $41,410 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 140 | 1.55 | 6.39 | $13.65 | $28,390 |
Top paying metropolitan areas for this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division | 100 | 0.05 | 0.23 | $33.60 | $69,900 |
| New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 1,180 | 0.23 | 0.94 | $27.81 | $57,850 |
| Anchorage, AK | 80 | 0.48 | 1.97 | $24.69 | $51,350 |
| Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division | (8) | (8) | (8) | $23.64 | $49,180 |
| Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division | 1,960 | 1.39 | 5.75 | $22.92 | $47,670 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 350 | 0.27 | 1.13 | $22.53 | $46,870 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 210 | 2.17 | 8.98 | $22.12 | $46,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | (8) | (8) | (8) | $21.94 | $45,630 |
| Nassau-Suffolk, NY Metropolitan Division | 590 | 0.48 | 2.00 | $21.93 | $45,610 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 50 | 0.66 | 2.72 | $21.86 | $45,460 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 830 | 5.63 | 23.27 | $15.40 | $32,040 |
| New Iberia nonmetropolitan area | 710 | 5.29 | 21.88 | $22.22 | $46,220 |
| Southeast Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 440 | 12.67 | 52.41 | $24.63 | $51,240 |
| Railbelt / Southwest Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 330 | 4.48 | 18.52 | $20.34 | $42,300 |
| Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 210 | 2.14 | 8.85 | $18.73 | $38,950 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 440 | 12.67 | 52.41 | $24.63 | $51,240 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | 830 | 5.63 | 23.27 | $15.40 | $32,040 |
| New Iberia nonmetropolitan area | 710 | 5.29 | 21.88 | $22.22 | $46,220 |
| Railbelt / Southwest Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 330 | 4.48 | 18.52 | $20.34 | $42,300 |
| Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 210 | 2.14 | 8.85 | $18.73 | $38,950 |
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 440 | 12.67 | 52.41 | $24.63 | $51,240 |
| New Iberia nonmetropolitan area | 710 | 5.29 | 21.88 | $22.22 | $46,220 |
| Railbelt / Southwest Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 330 | 4.48 | 18.52 | $20.34 | $42,300 |
| Coastal Oregon nonmetropolitan area | 120 | 1.75 | 7.25 | $19.46 | $40,470 |
| Northwestern Washington nonmetropolitan area | (8) | (8) | (8) | $19.26 | $40,050 |
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate--50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly mean wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(8) Estimate not released.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OES estimates and related information:
May 2012 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2012 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2012 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2012 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
Last Modified Date: March 29, 2013
