Bosun Salary Factors
- Size of the Vessel, Experience, and Company
- Ship Type, Company Arrangements, and Nationality
- Additional Factors for Higher Salary
A bosun’s salary depends on the size of the vessel they are working on, their experience, and the company they are working for. Most bosuns make between $50,000 and $1300,000 a year.
One of the motivations why an AB wants to become a bosun, is the technical know-how of the job, readiness for responsibility, a salary increase, or a combination of all three. A boatswain’s salary is determined by the type of ship. Tankers tend to give higher offers than bulk carriers and yachts. Additionally, company salary arrangements, union guidelines, and the nationality of the crew play a role in their wages.
Factors that might lead to a higher bosun salary include watersport certification, such as diving or kitesurfing credentials, and engineering experience or qualifications.
Average Bosun Salary and Skills
A Bosun salary can range anywhere from $3500 to $6000 for more experienced Bosuns on larger superyachts. Bosuns are required to have sound knowledge in tasks such as varnishing, painting, caulking, and sanding.
As mentioned above, Bosun is the head of the deck crew ratings and therefore he gets paid pretty high compared to other deck and engine ratings. The salary of a Bosun differs from company to company and also varies with the type of vessel he sails in. On average, Bosun gets paid around $1500 – $2000 per month.
In the USA, the Bosun’s average salary ranges from $2500 to $4700 per month. However, it is important to note that one’s actual salary might score outside this scale, based on factors such as experience, type or size of the ship, country, sector (public or private) or education.