As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Ordinary Seaman in the US is $49,559, equivalent to $24 per hour, $953 weekly, or $4,130 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Ordinary Seaman in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Ordinary Seaman in the US vary widely, spanning from $31,423 to $70,163. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($40,066) and 75th percentile ($60,344), while top earners (90th percentile) make $70,163 per year. This $20,278 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Leadership or Safety Regulations, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Ordinary Seaman often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 32 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Ordinary Seaman Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Ordinary Seaman Salary $31,423 US August 01, 2026
25th Percentile Ordinary Seaman Salary $40,066 US August 01, 2026
50th Percentile Ordinary Seaman Salary $49,559 US August 01, 2026
75th Percentile Ordinary Seaman Salary $60,344 US August 01, 2026
90th Percentile Ordinary Seaman Salary $70,163 US August 01, 2026
25% $40,066 10% $31,423 90% $70,163 75% $60,344 $49,559 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is an Ordinary Seaman ?

An ordinary seaman (OS) is a naval rating of the deck department of a ship. The position is an apprenticeship to become an able seaman, and has been for centuries. In modern times, an OS is required to work on a ship for a specific amount of time, gaining what is referred to as "sea time". For centuries, the term ordinary seaman was used to refer to a seaman with between one and two years' experience at sea, who showed enough seamanship to be so rated by their captain. An OS is generally not required to stand watch, but must pass examinations on watchstanding skills such as performing look...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/17/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
40066
60344
49559

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
40155
60403
49573
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Ordinary Seaman in the United States. The base salary for Ordinary Seaman ranges from $40,066 to $60,344 with the average base salary of $49,559. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $40,155 to $60,403 with the average total cash compensation of $49,573.

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40066
60344

 

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