How Much Does a Deckhand Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$51,520
Deckhands in the U.S. earn a median of $51,520 a year, or $24.77 an hour. Half of deckhands earn more than $51,520 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $83,620.
Pay percentiles for deckhands
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.61 | $34,560 |
| 25th | $19.92 | $41,430 |
| 50th (median) | $24.77 | $51,520 |
| 75th | $32.50 | $67,590 |
| 90th | $40.20 | $83,620 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Sailors and Marine Oilers (SOC 53-5011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for deckhands
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,140 | $36.60 | +48% |
| New Jersey | $71,880 | $34.56 | +40% |
| Oregon | $70,410 | $33.85 | +37% |
| Washington | $66,700 | $32.07 | +29% |
| Alaska | $63,130 | $30.35 | +23% |
| Tennessee | $60,580 | $29.12 | +18% |
| Delaware | $60,040 | $28.86 | +17% |
| Florida | $57,930 | $27.85 | +12% |
| Minnesota | $56,680 | $27.25 | +10% |
| Indiana | $56,570 | $27.20 | +10% |
| United States | $51,520 | $24.77 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many deckhands are there?
BLS counts about 31,670 deckhands employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Sailors and Marine Oilers”. The most jobs are in Louisiana (7,580), Texas (4,270) and Virginia (2,970).
The mean (average) annual wage is $56,830, higher than the median of $51,520.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,293
- Biweekly
- $1,982
- Weekly
- $991
- Daily (8 hours)
- $198
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do deckhands make an hour?
The median hourly wage for deckhands is $24.77. The middle 50% earn between $19.92 and $32.50 an hour.
Which state pays deckhands the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for deckhands at $76,140, +48% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for deckhands?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of deckhands earn less than $34,560 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.