The ship provisioner — selling supplies and goods to vessels at anchor or dock.
Junior Bumboater pay typically runs $23K–$31K at this level, and jobs in this field are projected to shrink 10% through 2034.
As a Junior Bumboater, you're in a unique maritime sales role — selling provisions, supplies, and goods to ships while they're in port or at anchor. This traditional maritime trade involves bringing merchandise to vessels, selling to crew members, and providing supplies that ships need. It's entrepreneurial work with maritime character.
Your day follows ship arrivals and departures. When vessels come in, you're there with goods — everything from snacks and personal items to equipment and supplies. You might operate from a small boat bringing goods to anchored ships, or work the docks serving vessels in port. You're learning maritime commerce, what ships need, and how to sell in unique circumstances.
The challenge is the unpredictable nature of the work. Ship schedules change. Crew needs vary. You're developing flexibility, maritime knowledge, and sales skills in an environment very different from traditional retail.
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Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
The ship provisioner — selling supplies and goods to vessels at anchor or dock.
Median pay for a Junior Bumboater is about $35K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $23K to $56K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Speaking, Persuasion, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, and Active Listening.
Most people in this role hold a less than high school.
Employment in this field is projected to decline about 10% through 2034, with roughly 4,590 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Bumboater, Door-to-Door Sales Trainer, and Junior Ice Cream Truck Driver.
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