How much does a Coxswain, ship make

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  2. Coxswain, ship
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Coxswain, ship

50 500 kr

Ship officers etc.

44 900 - 55 300 kr / month

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Coxswain, ship

Average salary 50 500 kr
Males 50 500 kr
Females 0 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a ship's mate do? – Tasks and work environment

A ship's mate holds overall responsibility for navigation, safety, and supervision onboard ships of various sizes. Tasks include planning and monitoring the route, leading the crew, handling cargo and unloading, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations and international rules. The ship's mate often works closely with the captain and other officers, and the work environment is characterized by shift work, long shifts at sea, and periods of intense responsibility during both day and night hours. The work often involves being away from land for extended periods, requiring both technical skills and strong leadership qualities.

Salary development over time

Wages for ship's mates in the maritime industry have shown steady but clear growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 47,600 SEK per month, increasing to 48 600 SEK in 2023. The latest data from 2024 shows a further increase to 50 500 SEK – a rise of approximately 6.1 % over three years. This wage trend reflects a continued demand for experienced maritime officers, influenced by general wage increases within the transport sector and higher requirements for education and certification. The market has also been affected in recent years by increased safety and environmental standards, which can contribute to elevating the profession's status and salary levels.

Ship's mate salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 50 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,900 SEK/month (men), 48,700 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 55,300 SEK/month (men), 54,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage (average): 304 SEK
  • Gender differences: Men earn 50 500 SEK, women's salaries vary but specific median values are not available
  • Regional differences: Data on regional variation is not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a ship's mate, comprehensive education with both theoretical and practical components is required. The most common route is maritime education at university level, supplemented with sea time and various certificates according to international regulations. The education includes navigation, safety, leadership, and technical skills, demanding high responsibility and accuracy.

  • Maritime college: Merchant Marine Officer Class VII–I, 3–4.5 years depending on level
  • Certificates: STCW certificates and other special permits according to IMO
  • Practical training: Mandatory sea time (trainee) to obtain qualification
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma, often from the Maritime Program
  • Courses: Continuing education in safety, environment, and leadership is recommended

The profession of ship's mate offers a unique combination of leadership, technical skills, and the opportunity to work in an international environment. Many ship's mates assume responsibility for both crew and advanced technology early in their careers, making the job both varied and rewarding. Additionally, the work provides chances to travel worldwide and gain experiences few other professions can offer.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Typical benefits for ship's mates include per diem allowances during sea service, free meals and accommodation onboard, as well as favorable pension and insurance solutions. Some employers also offer further training, wellness allowances, and opportunities for extra leave after longer periods at sea.

Competition and challenges

The job market for ship's mates is competitive, especially for the most attractive positions and on larger vessels. The main challenges are often related to long periods at sea, high safety responsibilities, and the need for continuous skills development to meet new technological and environmental demands. The industry is also influenced by economic fluctuations and changes in global shipping, where digitalization and automation are gradually transforming the role. Despite this, there remains a strong need for experienced and well-educated ship's mates, particularly in international shipping and specialized transports.

Tips for aspiring ship's mates

To succeed as a ship's mate, it is important to have a strong sense of responsibility and good organizational skills, as the role requires planning and leading work onboard. Effective communication and teamwork skills are also crucial, especially in stressful situations. An interest in technology and navigation is a significant advantage, as much of the work involves advanced systems and safety routines. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to long periods away from home are also essential, along with a willingness to continue education within new regulations and technological advances. Precision and quick decision-making under pressure help manage unexpected situations onboard. Being confident in leadership and respectful of different cultures and work environments also provide good prospects for a successful maritime career.

Key facts about ship's mates

  • Education level: Post-secondary education (3–4.5 years) and certification
  • Average salary: 50 500 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Onboard ships, often shift work and longer periods at sea
  • Demand: 412 job openings in the profession (May 2024)
  • Special skills: Navigation, safety, leadership, and international regulations

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years of experience as a ship's mate, opportunities exist to advance to higher officer positions, such as chief mate or captain. Many also choose to specialize in areas like safety, environmental issues, or training new personnel. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, no specific future assessment is provided due to limited data, but the number of job openings in the maritime officer profession is currently 412. The future outlook is therefore relatively good for those flexible and willing to further their education, especially in international shipping where technical and environmental requirements are increasing.

Frequently asked questions about ship's mates

  • What does a ship's mate earn?
    - A ship's mate has an average salary of 50 500 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a ship's mate?
    - Post-secondary maritime education (3–4.5 years) and certification according to international regulations are required.
  • What is the work environment like for a ship's mate?
    - The work environment is onboard ships, often with shift work and longer periods at sea.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Men earn an average of 50 500 SEK, while women's salaries vary and specific averages are not available.
  • What career paths are available after a few years as a ship's mate?
    - It is common to advance to chief mate, captain, or specialize in safety and environmental matters.
  • What are the future prospects for ship's mates?
    - Currently, there are 412 job openings, but no precise future forecast is provided.
  • What are the biggest challenges of the profession?
    - Long periods at sea, high responsibility, and the need for ongoing skill development are the main challenges.
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Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 22:31:33

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Coxswain, ship is 55300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 54900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Coxswain, ship is 44900 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 48700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 47100 kr 51800 kr
45-54 49000 kr 54200 kr
55-64 45500 kr 48800 kr
Snitt 46400 kr 50500 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Coxswain, ship has the SSYK code 3152, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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