How much does a sailor and marine oiler make?
The median sailor and marine oiler in the United States earns $51,520 per year, about $24.77 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all sailors and marine oilers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-5011.
Sailor and marine oiler salary range
Pay for sailors and marine oilers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,560 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $83,620. The average (mean) wage of $56,830 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,560 | $16.61 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $41,430 | $19.92 | |
| Median (50th) | $51,520 | $24.77 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $67,590 | $32.50 | |
| 90th percentile | $83,620 | $40.20 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for sailors and marine oilers (SOC 53-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Sailor and marine oiler salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Sailors and marine oilers earn the most in Hawaii at $76,140 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $23,960. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,140 | 340 |
| New Jersey | $71,880 | 520 |
| Oregon | $70,410 | 210 |
| Washington | $66,700 | 1,590 |
| Alaska | $63,130 | 480 |
| Tennessee | $60,580 | 870 |
| Delaware | $60,040 | 80 |
| Florida | $57,930 | 2,710 |
| Minnesota | $56,680 | 90 |
| Indiana | $56,570 | 570 |
| Texas | $55,610 | 4,270 |
| California | $55,180 | 1,680 |
| New York | $54,210 | 1,570 |
| Ohio | $53,520 | 140 |
| Missouri | $51,940 | 220 |
| Michigan | $51,310 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $50,500 | 210 |
| Mississippi | $50,390 | 490 |
| Virginia | $49,120 | 2,970 |
| Illinois | $49,090 | 420 |
| Wisconsin | $48,880 | 110 |
| Rhode Island | $48,860 | 210 |
| Iowa | $48,100 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $47,460 | 1,470 |
| West Virginia | $47,370 | 100 |
| Maine | $46,800 | 240 |
| Louisiana | $46,610 | 7,580 |
| Connecticut | $45,280 | 400 |
| North Carolina | $44,770 | 310 |
| Massachusetts | $44,070 | 420 |
| Alabama | $43,000 | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,810 | 210 |
| Georgia | $37,500 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $23,960 | 70 |
State median wages for sailors and marine oilers (SOC 53-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for sailors and marine oilers
The BLS projects employment of sailors and marine oilers to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 33,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 34,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,600 openings a year for sailors and marine oilers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a sailor and marine oiler
The typical entry-level education for sailors and marine oilers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a sailor and marine oiler earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $76,140) and the lowest (Arkansas, $23,960) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 31,670 people work as sailors and marine oilers in the United States. At $51,520 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Sailor and marine oiler salary FAQ
How much does a sailor and marine oiler make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a sailor and marine oiler is $24.77. The middle half of sailors and marine oilers earn between $19.92 and $32.50 per hour.
What is the highest sailor and marine oiler salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of sailors and marine oilers earn more than $83,620 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a sailor and marine oiler make a year?
The median annual salary for a sailor and marine oiler is $51,520. The average (mean) wage of $56,830 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a sailor and marine oiler a well paid job?
At $51,520 a year, a sailor and marine oiler earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 31,670 people work as sailors and marine oilers in the United States.
Which state pays sailors and marine oilers the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for sailors and marine oilers at $76,140 a year. New Jersey ($71,880) and Oregon ($70,410) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a sailor and marine oiler a good career?
Employment of sailors and marine oilers is projected to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a sailor and marine oiler?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for sailors and marine oilers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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