Commercial shipping & inland waterways
Merchant Mariner
Equal time on and off, and the time on is total.
Typical pay
$45k-$150k depending on rating
How you get in
Merchant Mariner Credential plus STCW training
Outlook
Steady; officer ranks are in genuine shortage
Merchant mariners crew commercial vessels — deep sea, tugs, barges and offshore. Rotational schedules mean weeks fully at work followed by equal weeks fully off, which is either the best or worst feature depending on your life.
A day in the life
- 5:45aRelieve the watch on the bridge or in the engine room
- 6:00aStand a six-hour watch
- 12:00pLunch and off watch
- 2:00pMaintenance, drills and deck work
- 6:00pSecond watch of the day
- 12:00aSleep, then repeat — no weekends at sea
How to get in
Entry-level rating
Duration
2-4 months
Cost
$1,500-$6,000
Credential
Merchant Mariner Credential plus STCW Basic Training
- Get a TWIC card and pass the physical and drug screening
- Apply for an entry Merchant Mariner Credential as ordinary seaman or wiper
- Complete STCW basic safety training
- Sail and accumulate sea time toward higher ratings
Maritime academy
Duration
4 years
Cost
$40,000-$150,000
Credential
Bachelor's plus third mate or third assistant engineer license
- Attend a state or federal maritime academy
- Complete sea terms aboard training and commercial vessels
- Graduate with both a degree and an officer license
- Start as a licensed officer rather than working up from the deck
Hawsepiping to officer
Duration
5-10 years
Cost
$5,000-$30,000 in courses
Credential
Progressive licenses up to master or chief engineer
- Start as an unlicensed rating and accumulate documented sea time
- Complete required courses and upgrade exams progressively
- Move from AB to mate, and eventually to master
- Longer than the academy route, but you earn throughout
What people love
- · Equal time off — often 28 days on, 28 off
- · Strong pay with room and board covered
- · No degree required to start
- · Clear licensing ladder to officer ranks
What wears people down
- · Weeks away with no way to leave
- · Isolation and limited connectivity
- · Missing holidays and family events entirely
- · Extensive credentialing and medical requirements