Life As a Sailor or Marine Oiler
Sailor or Marine Oiler Example 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.
Life As a Sailor or Marine Oiler: What Do They Do?
- Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
- Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
- Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
- Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
- Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
- Participate in shore patrols.
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Skills Needed to be a Sailor or Marine Oiler
Sailors and Marine Oilers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Related Job Titles
- Marine Technician
- Roustabout
- Ordinary Seaman
- Float Tender
- Yacht Hand
Job Opportunities for Sailors and Marine Oilers
In the United States, there were 33,800 jobs for Sailor or Marine Oiler in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,600 new jobs for Sailor or Marine Oiler by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,400 positions for Sailor or Marine Oiler per year.

The states with the most job growth for Sailor or Marine Oiler are Idaho, Tennessee, and Minnesota. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Indiana, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Sailor or Marine Oiler
Sailors and Marine Oilers make between $23,880 and $72,510 a year.

Sailors and Marine Oilers who work in Michigan, Minnesota, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sailors and Marine Oilers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $38,890 |
Alaska | $43,120 |
Arkansas | $31,810 |
California | $44,960 |
Connecticut | $42,040 |
Delaware | $40,140 |
Florida | $64,300 |
Georgia | $34,040 |
Hawaii | $39,550 |
Illinois | $48,060 |
Iowa | $36,740 |
Kentucky | $40,640 |
Louisiana | $46,430 |
Maine | $32,450 |
Maryland | $50,110 |
Massachusetts | $36,190 |
Michigan | $53,450 |
Minnesota | $52,430 |
Mississippi | $39,890 |
Missouri | $50,720 |
New Jersey | $36,750 |
New York | $48,740 |
North Carolina | $33,020 |
Ohio | $40,070 |
Oregon | $50,580 |
Pennsylvania | $38,960 |
South Carolina | $35,270 |
Tennessee | $31,110 |
Texas | $40,210 |
Virginia | $44,060 |
Washington | $51,720 |
West Virginia | $48,770 |
Wisconsin | $45,370 |
What Tools do Sailors and Marine Oilers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Sailors and Marine Oilers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Log book software
- KNMI TurboWin
Becoming a Sailor or Marine Oiler
Education needed to be a Sailor or Marine Oiler:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Sailors and Marine Oilers Work?

Below are examples of industries where Sailors and Marine Oilers work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Sailor or Marine Oiler might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Sailor or Marine Oiler in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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