Sailors and Marine Oilers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Sailors and Marine Oilers fall under the Transportation and Material Moving category in the U.S. occupational classification. Sailors and Marine Oilers earn a median salary of $49,610 per year, ranking in the top 63% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do sailors and marine oilers earn?

The median annual wage for sailors and marine oilers is $49,610. That puts sailors and marine oilers at #510 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is sailors and marine oilers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for sailors and marine oilers is +2.3%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 32K positions in 2024 to 32K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do sailors and marine oilers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working sailors and marine oilers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
2. 2.Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
3. 3.Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
4. 4.Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
5. 5.Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
6. 6.Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
7. 7.Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
8. 8.Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.

Top skills for sailors and marine oilers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become sailors and marine oiler?

Many sailors and marine oilers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
  $226,600 median
• Air Traffic Controllers
  $144,580 median
• Commercial Pilots
  $122,670 median
• Ship Engineers
  $101,320 median
• Transportation Inspectors
  $85,750 median
• Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
  $85,540 median

Common questions parents ask about sailors and marine oilers