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Boston Career Explorer

Transportation and Material Moving

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.

Also called: AB Seaman (Able Bodied Seaman), AB Watchman (Able Bodied Watchman), Able Seaman, Deck Hand, Deckhand, Deckhand Engineer

Median pay in Greater Boston
$44,070
$21.19/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
340
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+11.7%
40 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
No formal educational credential
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$34,180$38,570$44,070$56,330$75,130

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
  • Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
  • Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure8 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 11
  • Language-model AIOE 8
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 5

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

This job has lower AI exposure, and observed AI use is little or none today. AI tools may help with keeping certification records and watching for hazards or equipment problems. Most of the work is hands-on, such as handling lines, splicing rope, and running deck equipment.

Likely to change

  • Tracking required certifications and records
  • Equipment monitoring and maintenance alerts

Still relies on people

  • Handling lines to moor and tow vessels
  • Splicing and repairing ropes and cables

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

    Running winches, cranes, and other equipment carries over to forklifts and hoists. This job is growing fast in Massachusetts.

    Pay difference
    +$3,730 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +21.7%
    To get started
    No formal educational credential

  • Construction Laborers

    Hands-on equipment upkeep and physical work carry over. Construction labor pays a higher Boston median of $63,420.

    Pay difference
    +$19,350 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +9.5%
    To get started
    No formal educational credential

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    Rigging and physical work at height build on your hands-on skills. An apprenticeship leads to a Boston median of $120,840.

    Pay difference
    +$76,770 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +6.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

Talk to a career coach