Sailor who only works for six months a year shares how much he annually earns
Spending six months out at sea and earning a full salary sounds like an absolute dream.
According to Sailor Dean, an able-bodied seaman in the Merchant Marine, 28 days working on-and-off is more than enough to pay the bills.
While aboard a dredging vessel, Dean says his job is to excavate and move material such as sand and sediment from waterways so ships can pass through them.
Detailing his daily rate, the content creator explained: “With my job as an able-bodied seaman, I will be making $446 a day in the Merchant Marine.”
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However, Dean stressed that his basic daily wage isn't the only money he receives.
“The thing with the merchant marine is it is unlike any other job. We don't get paid just in one way. There are many different ways of making money in the merchant marine,” he said.
“Overtime pay, vacation pay, holiday pay, all very different. It all compiles up to make your total yearly amount. And it's pretty good.”
Explaining his unusual work-life balance, he continued: “I work six months out of the year. That is it. Keep that in mind once you see the total number of the year. I only work six months out of the year.”
His base salary works out at $74,928 annually, while vacation pay adds another $11,424, as well as holiday payments of $4,460.
Adding everything together gives Dean annual earnings of $90,812 before additional overtime and other payments.
“And I am an unlicensed mariner. I am an able-bodied seaman. I have a long way to go till I get to the top,” he added.
Dean explained that colleagues who choose to work eight months can earn upwards of $119,596.
But earning more isn't worth his time away from work.
“I could work eight. I can make $120,000 a year working eight months out of the year. I don't want to. I like my freedom. I like my equal time. I like to spend time with my family,” Dean said.
The YouTuber noted that his calculation doesn't include extra overtime, welding or penalty pay.
He said: “The money is worth it. The lifestyle is worth it. Making $90,000 a year isn't bad when I only work for six months.”
Full breakdown of Dean's six-month salary
Daily base wage: $446
Base pay per 28-day rotation: $12,488
Annual base pay: $74,928
Vacation pay per day: $68
Annual vacation pay: $11,424
Annual holiday pay: $4,460
Total guaranteed annual earnings: $90,812
Anish Vij