sailor
Snapshot
Embark on a career at sea as a sailor, contributing to the safe and efficient operation of vessels while experiencing the unique challenges and rewards of life on the water. This role combines practical skills with a dedication to maintaining a ship’s condition and supporting the crew.
As a sailor, you'll work under the direction of the ship's captain and senior crew members, performing a variety of tasks essential to vessel upkeep and operation. Your duties involve both routine maintenance and responding to unexpected situations. You'll be responsible for ensuring the ship is clean, well-maintained, and ready for its journey, while also contributing to navigational record-keeping and emergency preparedness.
- • Maintaining sails, rigging, and other equipment through inspection, repair, and regular upkeep.
- • Cleaning and polishing interior spaces, including furniture, wood trim, and metal fixtures.
- • Performing routine maintenance tasks such as painting, varnishing, and sweeping decks.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Drivers and mobile plant operators — 52 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Netherlands and 1 more.
Longest-running shortage: Italy, 3 years.
Where it is regulated, your qualification would need formal recognition before you could practise.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could sailor fit you?
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Future Outlook for sailor
The outlook for sailor reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could sailor change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could sailor change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- ensure public safety and security
- follow work procedures
- use different types of fire extinguishers
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- watch for maritime navigation aids
- prepare deck equipment
- clean parts of vessels
Tasks most exposed to automation
- communicate reports provided by passengers
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Supply Chain & Transportation
A typical day as a sailor
09 09:00 · Morning steer vessels in ports
10 10:30 · Mid-morning watch for maritime navigation aids
12 12:00 · Midday anchor ships to the port
14 14:00 · Afternoon assist anchoring operations
15 15:30 · Late afternoon clean ships
17 17:00 · Wrap-up clean parts of vessels
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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types of maritime vessels
Various types of maritime vessels such as container ships, passenger ships and fishing vessels, and their characteristics and specifications, security, technical, and maintenance requirements.
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
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guide ships into docks
Safely guide a ship into a dock and anchor it.
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anchor ships to the port
Anchor ships to the port according to the type of vessel.
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prepare lifeboats
Prepare lifeboats in ships before departure, ensure full functionality in case of emergency, follow regulatory instructions for lifesaving boats.
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moor vessels
Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
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assist anchoring operations
Assist during anchoring operations; operate equipment and assist in anchor manoeuvres.
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secure ships using rope
Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.
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follow written instructions
Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
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follow verbal instructions
Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
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watch for maritime navigation aids
Watch for navigation aids (lighthouses and buoys), obstructions, and other vessels that may be encountered. Interpret navigation aids, communicate information, and take orders from the captain.
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operate traditional water depth measurement equipment
Operate traditional water depth measuring equipment e.g. weights on a line, and traditional techniques for measuring the depth of water, particularly along coastlines and near harbours.
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ensure public safety and security
Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
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prepare deck equipment
Handle a wide assortment of deck equipment, including waterproof marine doors, hatches, winches, pumps, cleats, fairleads, portlights, shackles, swivels, tank top covers, anchors, and bollards. Prepare and organise equipment in the required locations and quantity on board a vessel.
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communicate reports provided by passengers
Transmit information provided by passengers to superiors. Interpret passenger claims and follow up requests.
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clean parts of vessels
Clean engine rooms and vessel components using appropriate cleaning materials; ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does sailor fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of training or experience is typically needed to become a sailor?
- While formal qualifications can vary, experience in general maintenance, a strong aptitude for practical tasks, and a willingness to learn are valuable. Many sailors gain experience through entry-level positions on ships or through maritime training programs focused on deckhand duties.
- Are there opportunities for sailors to work independently?
- While most sailors are employed by shipping companies or private vessel owners, opportunities for self-employment exist, particularly for those with specialized skills or experience, such as maintaining classic sailing vessels or offering charter services.
- What are the typical working conditions like for a sailor?
- Life at sea can be demanding, involving long hours, potentially challenging weather conditions, and extended periods away from home. Sailors must be adaptable, resilient, and comfortable working in a confined environment as part of a team.
- Sailor — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 11 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Germany, Finland and 2 more. 5 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Sailor — what does it pay in the United States?
- $49,610 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $23,960 to $76,140. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
- Sailor — is it a regulated profession?
- It is listed as a regulated profession in 9 European countries: Malta, Finland, Latvia, Slovenia and 5 more. The lowest qualification level required among them is EQF 3. Where a profession is regulated, a qualification earned elsewhere has to be formally recognised before you can practise. Source: EU Regulated Professions Database.