How Much Does a Seaman Get Paid Monthly?
Introduction: What is an Ordinary Seaman?
An Ordinary Seaman (OS) is a sailor who works aboard a commercial, naval or fishing vessel as a deckhand, or as part of the crew responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the vessel itself, as well as its operations while at sea or in port.
OSs may also serve as emergency personnel in times of distress, such as man overboard situations or medical emergencies, and are responsible for providing general assistance throughout the voyage.
OSs typically report to their captain or other senior officers on board the ship and are responsible for a variety of tasks relating to the vessel’s daily functions.
As such, they must be highly organized and skilled in problem-solving and communication abilities in order to effectively manage their duties.
In addition to having knowledge of basic seamanship techniques, OSs must also be familiar with safety protocols and procedures related to their particular vessel. They must also have an understanding of navigation principles and other maritime regulations.
Factors Affecting Salary
The salary rate for an OS is determined by several factors, including experience level, location, type of vessel being operated, working hours/conditions, company/employer size and reputation, additional training and certifications required by the company or employer, specialty areas in sailing (e.g., racing, diving, cruising), etc..
As with any job position that requires specialized skills and knowledge, experience level is typically one of the primary factors when determining salary rates for OSs, those with more experience generally receive higher pay than those with less experience.
Location is also a major factor, wages vary widely depending on where the employment takes place—for example, wages are generally higher in areas where there is higher demand for seafarers, such as ports located near major cities or coastal regions with high commercial shipping traffic.
Additionally, working conditions may play a role, those who work longer hours or under harsher conditions tend to receive higher pay than those who work under more favorable conditions. The type of vessel being operated may also affect salary rates, those who work on larger vessels often receive higher wages than those who work on smaller vessels.
Finally, the size and reputation of the company or employer can play a role, larger companies often offer higher wages than smaller ones due to their ability to pay employees more due to their greater financial resources.
Additionally, certain certifications may be required by employers which can result in higher salaries due to increased knowledge base or advanced skillset.
Average Salary Rates for Ordinary Seamen
United States
As of Jan 31st 2023 , the average monthly pay for an ordinary seaman in the United States is $3,838 per month according to PayScale data collected from survey participants across multiple sources. This rate can vary significantly depending on location, experience level and other factors discussed above.
According to Glassdoor data collected from survey participants across multiple sources , salaries within 6 miles radius from Seattle Washington range from $2115 – $4200 per month . Additionally salaries within 6 miles radius from San Francisco California range from $3100 – $7200 per month .
It should be noted that these figures represent only a minimum base wage, additional benefits such as health insurance coverage may increase overall compensation packages significantly depending on employer.
Canada
In Canada , wages vary depending on province , with Ontario offering some of highest wages at around $3800 – $6000 per month according to survey data collected by PayScale .
This rate can vary significantly depending on location , experience level and other factors discussed above .
According to Glassdoor data collected from survey participants across multiple sources , salaries within 6 miles radius from Toronto Ontario range from $2600 – $5200 per month .
Additionally salaries within 6 miles radius from Vancouver British Columbia range from $2500 – $5000 per month . It should be noted that these figures represent only a minimum base wage , additional benefits such as health insurance coverage may increase overall compensation packages significantly depending on employer .
UK
In the UK , wages vary depending on region , with London offering some of highest wages at around £2550 – £3500 per month according to survey data collected by PayScale . This rate can vary significantly depending on location , experience level and other factors discussed above .
According to Glassdoor data collected from survey participants across multiple sources , salaries within 6 miles radius from London England range from £1800 – £4000 per month . Additionally salaries within 6 miles radius from Glasgow Scotland range from £1350 – £3600 per month .
It should be noted that these figures represent only a minimum base wage , additional benefits such as health insurance coverage may increase overall compensation packages significantly depending on employer .
Other Countries
Australia : According to PayScale survey data collected form Australian seafarers , average hourly wage stands at around AU$17- AU$22 per hour which roughly translates into AU$3400- AU$4400 per month , however this rate can vary significantly depending on location , type of vessel being operated etc..
Japan : According to PayScale survey data collected form Japanese seafarers , average hourly wage stands at around JPY1600- JPY3000 per hour which roughly translates into JPY32000- JPY60000 per month , however this rate can vary significantly depending on location , type of vessel being operated etc..
South Africa : According to PayScale survey data collected form South African seafarers , average hourly wage stands at around ZAR210- ZAR1050 per hour which roughly translates into ZAR4320- ZAR21000 per month, however this rate can vary significantly depending on location , type of vessel being operated etc..
Specialty Areas in Sailing (e.g., Racing, Diving Cruising)
Those who specialize in particular areas within sailing tend earn higher wages than non-specialists due increased amount skill required as well potential danger associated with these activities. For example racing sailors tend receive much higher wages than regular sailors due intense nature race events combined risk associated high speed maneuvers, similarly divers tend earn more due extended periods spent underwater dangerous environments along potential hazards associated activity itself, finally cruisers tend make good money due long periods spent away shore along need maintain high levels cleanliness aboard ship throughout voyage.
Benefits Of Being An Ordinary Seamen
Working aboard commercial ships offers many benefits over similar land based jobs , most notably is opportunity travel world while earning living doing something they love, additionally it gives them chance interact diverse cultures make lifelong friends along way, furthermore working aboard ship allows them opportunity visit places inaccessible land based jobs thus giving them chance explore new places discover hidden gems world has offer, finally it offers tremendous sense freedom independence along potential career advancement opportunities allowing them break away traditional nine-to-five lifestyle rest constraints society imposes upon us all.
How To Become An Ordinary Seaman
Becoming an OS requires specialized training, it involves both classroom instruction physical labor aboard ship during actual voyage itself, In order become eligible work aboard commercial ships one must first obtain Merchant Marine Credential issued US Coast Guard after successful completion approved course study program which consists following components: Navigation Rules & Regulations (NRR), Basic Safety Training (BST), Shipboard Safety Officer Course (SSOC), Emergency Response Team Training (ERTT), after completing coursework applicant must then submit application USCG through National Maritime Center NMC website accompanied required documents before receiving credential license sail upon completion application process applicant will receive Merchant Mariner Credential MMC USCG valid five years expiration date which must renewed order remain valid active status license holder must then undergo periodic physical examinations conducted approved provider every five years order maintain valid license status upon successful completion examinations license holder will receive renewal notification letter USCG confirming renewal MMC license again valid five years until next examination cycle begins process starting over again .
Job Outlook For Ordinary Seamen In The US
The job outlook US seafaring industry looks promising foreseeable future according Bureau Labor Statistics BLS employment opportunities marine occupations expected grow 9 percent period 2018 2028 national average growth 7 percent during same time frame according BLS report “Employment Projections 2018 2028” released June 11 2019 growth expected greatest among occupations requiring lower educational attainment levels although BLS notes occupation category marine engineers technicians expected register highest growth 12 percent during same time frame overall outlook looks positive further advancements technology travel distance sea including increased automation processes increased efficiency operations projected increase demand personnel marine occupations future leading continued growth employment opportunities industry next decade beyond .
Conclusion
In conclusion becoming OS requires specialized training courses completion all necessary steps obtain Merchant Mariner Credential USCG addition having knowledge basic seamanship techniques holders MMC must knowledgeable safety protocols procedures relate particular vessel operate understand navigation principles maritime regulations addition average monthly salary OS varies widely based number factors including experience level location type vessel working hours company size reputation addition specialties sailing racing diving cruising having said average monthly salary US currently stands around 3 838 USD Canada ranges between 3 100 CAD 7 200 CAD UK ranges between 2 550 GBP 3 500 GBP Australia ranges between 3 400 AUD 4 400 AUD Japan ranges between 32 000 JPY 60 000 JPY South Africa ranges between 4 320 ZAR 21 000 ZAR however these figures represent minimum base wage additional benefits health insurance coverage others increase overall compensation packages significantly depend employer job outlook looks positive foreseeable future increased advancement technology automation processes increased efficiency projected lead continued growth employment opportunities industry next decade beyond .
