Sailors and Marine Oilers (53-5011)

Occupation description:  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.

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Employment and Job Openings

  Average employment Average annual openings
  2010 estimate2020 projectionPercent change GrowthReplacementTotal
Alaska 538587 9.15 2428
United States 33,40040,500 21.3710 1,4402,150

Job outlook

  • Alaska: Alaska’s employment growth is low with high employment opportunities. Read more.


2012 Wages

  Mean Wage and
95% Confidence Interval
Wage by Percentile
  LowMeanHigh 10thMedian90th
United States n/a19.11n/a 10.6618.3628.83
Alaska 21.7922.9824.17 16.3223.0528.75
Anchorage/Mat-Su Area (MSA) 23.3124.6926.07 18.9624.5232.36
Southeast Region 23.4524.6325.81 21.9024.6028.55
Balance of State 17.4920.3423.19 13.2020.6028.40

Labor Force Indicators

2011 Worker Characteristics
Total workersNonresident workers Percent nonresidentPercent age 45 plusPercent age 50 plus
1,220550 45.136.9 28.6
2011 Potential Supply
Qualified but working in another occupation69
Currently employed in a lower paid occupation14
UI claimants previously working in occupation238
2011 ALEXsys Employment Data
Number of registrants 1,250
Number of job position postings 13
Ratio of registrants to job position postings 96.2

Typical Entry-level Education, Experience, and/or On-the-job Training

Education: Less than high school Work experience: None On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training