Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Sailors and marine oilers work in a field that combines physical capability with technical and interpersonal skills. National employment stands at 32,000, with projected growth of 2.3%, indicating a modestly expanding occupation. About 4,000 annual openings suggest a regular flow of opportunities for new entrants and experienced workers alike. The national median salary of $49,610 reflects earning potential that can vary by location, with some states and metro areas offering higher pay and distinct opportunity profiles. This role values physical strength and stamina alongside fine motor and mechanical skills, supported by detail orientation, leadership, and interpersonal abilities. Skills in science, mathematics, project management, and speaking and listening also contribute to success. With no formal educational credential typically required, this occupation can be accessible to individuals focused on building skills on the job. For people interested in related paths, similar occupations include extraction workers, structural iron and steel workers, and pipelayers.
The national median annual salary for sailors and marine oilers is $49,610, but pay levels differ noticeably by state and metro area. Among top states by opportunity score, Washington shows a median salary of $66,700 and California $55,180, both above the national median. New York’s median of $54,210 and Virginia’s $49,120 are close to or slightly above national levels, while Massachusetts stands at $44,070. At the metro level, salaries can be even higher. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area reports a median salary of $68,780, and the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro is at $62,550. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a median of $52,110, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim is $48,530, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton matches the Massachusetts state median of $44,070. These differences show that location choice can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
Sailors and marine oilers have national employment of 32,000, with projected employment growth of 2.3%. This growth rate applies consistently to the top listed states and metro areas, indicating a broadly similar outlook across highlighted regions. The occupation is expected to generate about 4,000 annual openings, which reflects both new positions from growth and movement of workers in and out of roles. For job seekers, this combination of existing employment and steady openings suggests a continuing need for qualified workers over time. Because the same 2.3% growth appears in multiple states and metro areas, the outlook is relatively even across those locations rather than being concentrated in a single region. People considering this field can use the mix of growth, openings, and local opportunity scores to decide where to focus their search and whether to explore neighboring or similar occupations if they want additional options.
Career prospects for sailors and marine oilers vary by state and metro area, with opportunity scores and salaries offering useful comparison points. Among states, California leads the listed group with an opportunity score of 67.38 and a median salary of $55,180, along with employment of 1,680. Massachusetts and New York have similar opportunity scores (65.87 and 65.78), but New York’s median salary of $54,210 is higher than Massachusetts’ $44,070 and supports 1,570 jobs. Washington and Virginia show opportunity scores of 56.29 and 54.96, with Washington offering the highest state median salary at $66,700 and Virginia having the largest employment among these states at 2,970. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands out with the highest opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $62,550. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont offers the highest listed metro salary at $68,780. Other metros such as Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim provide additional clusters of jobs with varying pay and scores.
The typical education requirement for sailors and marine oilers is no formal educational credential, making this occupation accessible to individuals who are ready to enter the workforce without completing a specific degree or program. Even without formal education requirements, the role calls for a solid combination of physical, technical, and interpersonal skills. Physical strength and stamina, along with fine motor and mechanical abilities, form a core part of the skill profile. Being detail oriented and having leadership and interpersonal skills supports effective work and collaboration. Additional strengths in science and mathematics can help with the more analytical aspects of the job. Project management skills contribute to organizing tasks and activities, while speaking and listening skills support clear communication. Together, these skills can be developed through work experience and targeted training, offering multiple pathways into and through the occupation without a prescribed academic route.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
