Sailors and Marine Oilers
SOC code 53-5011 · O*NET-SOC 53-5011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Sailors and Marine Oilers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$51,520
a year
Hourly
$24.77
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$56,830
$27.32 per hour
Middle 50%
$41,430 – $67,590
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$34,560 – $83,620
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
31,670
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $34,560
- $16.61/hr
- 25th percentile
- $41,430
- $19.92/hr
- Median percentile
- $51,520
- $24.77/hr
- 75th percentile
- $67,590
- $32.50/hr
- 90th percentile
- $83,620
- $40.20/hr
What do sailors and marine oilers do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
- Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
- Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
- Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.
- Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
- Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
- Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
- Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a sailors and marine oilers earn?
The national median is $51,520 a year. The full range runs from $34,560 at the 10th percentile to $83,620 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a sailors and marine oilers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Transportation3.9/5
- English Language3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
- Geography3.0/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Administration and Management2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repairing.