Sailor and Marine Oiler Salary in Houston, TX
Sailors and Marine Oilers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $55,610 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,863 take-home, or $3,905 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median sailor and marine oiler salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,493
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,448
- Medicare (1.45%)$806
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$46,863
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Sailor and Marine Oiler pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,360 | $18.44 | $33,002 | $2,750 |
| 25th percentile | $48,410 | $23.27 | $41,077 | $3,423 |
| Median (50th) | $55,610 | $26.74 | $46,863 | $3,905 |
| 75th percentile | $76,810 | $36.93 | $62,866 | $5,239 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,140 | $48.63 | $79,982 | $6,665 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $55,610 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median sailor and marine oiler's $46,863 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,514 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houston, TX has 5.2× the national concentration of sailor and marine oiler jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for sailors and marine oilers, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #1 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $55,610 | $46,863 | $47,514 |
| 2 | Virginia Beach, VA | $48,210 | $38,959 | $39,778 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: sailors and marine oilers
Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.2% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sailor and marine oiler make in Houston, TX?
The median sailor and marine oiler salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $55,610 a year, or about $26.74 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,410 and $76,810.
What is a sailor and marine oiler’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $55,610 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $46,863 a year ($3,905 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a sailor and marine oiler?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $51,520. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,514 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #1 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a sailor and marine oiler afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median sailor and marine oiler’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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