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What is a deckhand and how to become one
For an average of $17 an hour and a whoping $36,000 a year, performing manual duties and ensuring the general well-being of a ship hasn't been more attractive. Its a pretty sweet job as you get to work with your hands, that is if you like that. And then, you get to live on a ship or maybe even a super-yacht.
A Deckhand should be fit physically as you will be active around the clock, lifting objects for the guests and cleaning just to mention a few tasks. Have I mentioned that a Deckhand will also get to drive jet skis when the need arises? Pretty sweet. Things can also get serious in the time of a health or safety incident and a Deckhand will be the first responder.
Vessel management is the major skill for a deckhand and you don't really require an academic degree to venture into the field. The abilities to be very physically active, respond on time, and work efficiently with your hands are the things that shine brightly in this amazing field.
Avg. Salary $56,163
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 1%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.70%
Asian 4.78%
Black or African American 16.95%
Hispanic or Latino 12.93%
Unknown 9.35%
White 54.29%
Genderfemale 9.07%
male 90.93%
Age - 31American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 31Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is very poor
6.4 - fair
Deckhand career paths
Key steps to become a deckhand
Explore deckhand education requirements
Start to develop specific deckhand skills
Skills 
Percentages TWIC 9.47% Vessel Maintenance 8.66% Mooring Lines 7.74% Ladders 7.59% Customer Service 7.26% Complete relevant deckhand training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New deckhands learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a deckhand based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real deckhand resumes.Gain additional deckhand certifications
More About CertificationsDeckhand certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific deckhand certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for deckhands include OSHA Safety Certificate and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
Research deckhand duties and responsibilities
- Conduct daily JSA's, occasionally lead weekly fire and boat drills.
- Spearhead cross-functional initiative to achieve successful whole shipments of wild Alaskan salmofrozen and gut.
- Qualify shipboard firefighting and water survival, certify CPR human resources.
- Maintain working order of multiple boats including water taxis, ferries, yachts, and passenger vessels.
Prepare your deckhand resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your deckhand resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a deckhand resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Deckhand Resume templates
Build a professional Deckhand resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Deckhand resume.
Apply for deckhand jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a deckhand job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Deckhand Job
Are you a Deckhand?
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Average deckhand salary
The average Deckhand salary in the United States is $56,163 per year or $27 per hour. Deckhand salaries range between $21,000 and $145,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do deckhands rate their job?
Deckhand reviews
Can't say much on what I don't like other than when having to listen to people who are appsoluty wrong and I have to follow the chain of command.Thankly every worked out.
Time off, healthcare, Traveling, money.
Inadequate sleep, harsh weather, can be dangerous.
Pays well, job security is great, you don’t have to deal with a ton of people on a day to day basis
Being away from home if you work as a tankerman on a vessel. Enduring outside elements for long periods at a time.
Updated January 8, 2025
