How much does a Seaman make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Seaman in the United States is $44,213 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Seaman's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $51,142
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,133 to $47,840
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,328

Key Factors That Influence Seaman Salaries

A Seaman's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Seamans

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $55,766
  • San Francisco: $55,156
  • Oakland: $53,993

What Skills Can Increase a Seaman's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.55% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 3.94% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • Lean (Mentioned in 2.96% Job Postings): Lean manufacturing, or lean production, is a system of techniques and activities for running a manufacturing or service operation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.55%
Continuous Improvement 3.94%
Lean 2.96%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Seaman's salary.

  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Continuous Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Attention to Detail $51,288
16%
Decision Making $51,288
16%
Continuous Improvement $51,288
16%

Seaman Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Seaman roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Aerospace & Defense, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Seaman positions in MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Seaman as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Seaman

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$57,477$28.030%

How Education impacts a Seaman's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Seamans enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Seaman with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $42,062 and $45,769).

Seaman Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Seaman
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.7%
High School 53.3%
Associates 6.7%
Bachelors 33.3%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Seaman Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Seaman's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$41,133
Average $44,213/year
$47,840
$3,428
Average $3,684/month
$3,987
$791
Average $850/week
$920
$20
Average $21/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $47,840 $3,987 $920 $23
Average $44,213 $3,684 $850 $21
25th Percentile $41,133 $3,428 $791 $20

Most common benefits for Seaman

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Seaman

Here are companies hiring for Seaman and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Seaman

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Seaman?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Seaman roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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