Transportation & Logistics career

Deckhand

Also called: Ordinary Seaman · Able Seaman · Tugboat Deckhand · Merchant Mariner

What deckhands do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a deckhand do?

Sailors and marine oilers, often called deckhands, handle lines, stand watch, load and secure cargo, maintain vessels and help operate tugboats, barges, ferries and ships. The median pay is $51,520 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +3.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $51,520
    $24.77/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +3.2%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    3,600
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    No formal educational credential
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–4 weeks
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    33,000
    Employment, 2025

What deckhands do

Deckhands keep vessels working. They tie up and cast off lines, build barge tows, stand lookout watches, handle cargo, clean and paint, maintain deck equipment and help in emergencies. Engine-side oilers help maintain and monitor machinery. Work is found on tugs and towboats on rivers and harbors, ferries, offshore supply vessels and deep-sea ships.

Entry-level mariners need a Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential, a TWIC card and, for seagoing jobs, basic safety training. Many work rotations such as two weeks on and two weeks off. With sea time and exams, deckhands can advance to able seaman, mate and captain.

Typical duties

  • Handle mooring lines and tie up vessels
  • Build and break barge tows
  • Stand lookout and security watches
  • Load, secure and check cargo
  • Clean, chip and paint the vessel
  • Maintain deck equipment such as winches
  • Take part in safety drills and emergency response

Work environment and schedule

Deckhands work on vessels in all weather, on slippery decks, around heavy lines and machinery and far from shore. They live aboard for weeks at a time on many jobs.

Schedule: Many work rotations, such as 14 or 28 days on followed by equal time off, with six-hour or twelve-hour watches.

A day in the life

  1. Start the watch with a safety briefing in the galley.
  2. Check lines, wires and deck equipment on the tow.
  3. Help face up the tug to a string of barges and tighten wires.
  4. Stand lookout as the boat transits a lock.

See a full day in the life of a deckhand →

Deckhand salary

Half of deckhands earned more than $51,520 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,560 for the lowest 10% to $83,620 for the top 10%.

Full deckhand pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a deckhand

  1. Get a TWIC card
  2. Apply for a Merchant Mariner Credential
  3. Complete basic safety training
  4. Get hired as a deckhand
  5. Advance

No formal education is required. Entry-level mariners need a Merchant Mariner Credential from the U.S. Coast Guard with an entry-level rating, a TWIC card, a drug test and, for seagoing vessels, STCW basic safety training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a deckhand →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Line handling and knots
  • Watchstanding
  • Cargo securing
  • Deck maintenance
  • Safety drills

People skills

  • Teamwork
  • Stamina
  • Adaptability
  • Reliability

All deckhand skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Long stretches of time off
  • Paid training and advancement
  • Meals and lodging aboard
  • Adventure and travel

Cons

  • Weeks away from home
  • Physically demanding and risky
  • Weather and sea conditions
  • Limited personal space

Certifications and licenses

  • Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC): U.S. Coast Guard credential with an entry-level rating.
  • TWIC card: Transportation Worker Identification Credential for secure areas.
  • STCW Basic Safety Training: Required for many seagoing jobs.
  • Able Seaman (AB) endorsement: An advanced rating earned with sea time and exams.

Career path

  1. Deckhand or Ordinary Seaman: Handle lines and maintenance.
  2. Able Seaman or Lead Deckhand: Take on more responsibility.
  3. Mate: Stand navigation watches with a license.
  4. Captain: Command a vessel.

Learn the job before day one

Our Deckhand training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as tie a bowline and handle lines when docking, safety and how to land your first job.

View Deckhand trainingIs this career right for me?

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Deckhand FAQ

Do deckhands need experience?

No. Entry-level jobs train new mariners.

What credentials are needed?

A Merchant Mariner Credential and TWIC card, plus basic safety training for many jobs.

Can deckhands become captains?

Yes, with sea time, training and Coast Guard exams.

How much does a deckhand make?

The median annual wage for deckhands was $51,520 ($24.77 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,560 and the highest 10% earned more than $83,620.

How long does it take to become a deckhand?

Most people need about 1–4 weeks of training. No formal education is required. Entry-level mariners need a Merchant Mariner Credential from the U.S. Coast Guard with an entry-level rating, a TWIC card, a drug test and, for seagoing vessels, STCW basic safety training.

Do you need a degree to be a deckhand?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More deckhand questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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