Merchant mariner training in Alaska
22 maritime programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
2 schools offer these merchant mariner programs, and Alaska has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.
Water transportation workers run and maintain the vessels that carry cargo and people over water. Entry-level sailors and marine oilers need no set education and usually get 1 month to 1 year of training after they are hired, while other jobs on board take Coast Guard-approved training. Most jobs require a Merchant Mariner Credential from the Coast Guard and a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), and moving up takes logged time at sea.1 To get a first merchant mariner credential from the Coast Guard you must show you hold or have applied for a TWIC, pass a drug test and pass vision, hearing and medical exams (or hold a Coast Guard medical certificate).2
In Alaska, 4 of the 22 programs take students without a high school diploma, 16 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for earlier courses first.
By kind, the 22 programs here are STCW and endorsement course (9 programs), captain's license course (OUPV or Master 100 ton, 3 programs), maritime certificate or degree program (3 programs), able seaman course (2 programs), and 5 more of 4 other kinds.
See the 22 programsHow much does merchant mariner training cost in Alaska?
$120 to $18,000
from the lowest-priced program to the highest, if you pay yourself
In the typical program
- Finished the program
- 99%
- Working 6 months later
- 70%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $48,400
- Length
- 1 to 3 weeks
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Alaska may also offer merchant mariner training. How these figures are made
All 22 maritime programs in Alaska approved for WIOA funding
Filters
22 programs
Basic Training Revalidation
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimated$82,900Price if you pay yourself$840Program website, Basic Training Revalidation at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Basic Training Revalidation at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 99%
- Working at 6 months
- 80%
- Earned in a quarter
- $20,718
- Length
- 1 week, 8 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $50
- Students counted
- 208
- Earned a year, estimated
- $82,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $840
Proficiency in Survival Craft
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$51,800Price if you pay yourself$1,13029 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Proficiency in Survival Craft at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Proficiency in Survival Craft at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 99%
- Working at 6 months
- 69%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,938
- Length
- 1 week, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 181
- Earned a year, estimated
- $51,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,130
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 29
Able Seaman
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$43,100Price if you pay yourself$83030 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Able Seaman at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Able Seaman at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 99%
- Working at 6 months
- 68%
- Earned in a quarter
- $10,768
- Length
- 2 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $129
- Students counted
- 156
- Earned a year, estimated
- $43,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $830
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 30
Rating Forming Part of A Navigational Watch (RFPNW) Assessments
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$45,600Price if you pay yourself$6007 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Rating Forming Part of A Navigational Watch (RFPNW) Assessments at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Rating Forming Part of A Navigational Watch (RFPNW) Assessments at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 63%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,393
- Length
- 1 week, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 56
- Earned a year, estimated
- $45,600
- Price if you pay yourself
- $600
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 7
Master 100 Tons
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$40,100Price if you pay yourself$9207 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Master 100 Tons at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Master 100 Tons at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 68%
- Earned in a quarter
- $10,014
- Length
- 3 weeks, 40 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $316
- Students counted
- 50
- Earned a year, estimated
- $40,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $920
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 7
Tankship- Dangerous Liquids
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$82,800Price if you pay yourself$1,1306 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Tankship- Dangerous Liquids at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Tankship- Dangerous Liquids at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $20,710
- Length
- 1 week, 40 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 36
- Earned a year, estimated
- $82,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,130
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 6
Able Seaman (Cert)
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Juneau
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$53,800Price if you pay yourself$700Program website, Able Seaman (Cert) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)More details about Able Seaman (Cert) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
- Finished
- 86%
- Working at 6 months
- 85%
- Earned in a quarter
- $13,445
- Length
- 1 week, 32 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 29
- Earned a year, estimated
- $53,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $700
FCC Marine Radio Operations Examination (MROP)
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$56,500Price if you pay yourselfLeft outProgram website, FCC Marine Radio Operations Examination (MROP) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about FCC Marine Radio Operations Examination (MROP) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 70%
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,119
- Length
- 1 week, 6 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- Not reported
- Students counted
- 24
- Earned a year, estimated
- $56,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- Left out
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV)
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$36,900Price if you pay yourself$770Program website, Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 96%
- Working at 6 months
- 47%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,233
- Length
- 3 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $252
- Students counted
- 23
- Earned a year, estimated
- $36,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $770
Master/Mate 500 & 1600 Ton NC Prep
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$81,800Price if you pay yourself$1,130Program website, Master/Mate 500 & 1600 Ton NC Prep at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Master/Mate 500 & 1600 Ton NC Prep at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 95%
- Working at 6 months
- 76%
- Earned in a quarter
- $20,455
- Length
- 2 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 22
- Earned a year, estimated
- $81,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,130
Maritime/Multi Skilled Worker (OEC)
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Juneau
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$12,400Price if you pay yourself$6,000Program website, Maritime/Multi Skilled Worker (OEC) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)More details about Maritime/Multi Skilled Worker (OEC) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
- Finished
- 96%
- Working at 6 months
- 50%
- Earned in a quarter
- $3,110
- Length
- Left out
- Cost of supplies
- $2,000
- Students counted
- 19
- Earned a year, estimated
- $12,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,000
QMED Junior Engineer
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$44,400Price if you pay yourself$3,3084 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, QMED Junior Engineer at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about QMED Junior Engineer at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 87%
- Working at 6 months
- 71%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,108
- Length
- 12 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $102
- Students counted
- 15
- Earned a year, estimated
- $44,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $3,308
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 4
Assistance Towing
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$48,700Price if you pay yourself$120Program website, Assistance Towing at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Assistance Towing at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 87%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,165
- Length
- 1 week, 7 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 14
- Earned a year, estimated
- $48,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $120
Basic Training for Polar Operations (AVAVTC-820)
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$48,200Price if you pay yourself$2,450Program website, Basic Training for Polar Operations (AVAVTC-820) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Basic Training for Polar Operations (AVAVTC-820) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 30%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,047
- Length
- 1 week, 33 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $112
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $48,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,450
Marine Transportation (AAS)
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Juneau
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$18,000Program website, Marine Transportation (AAS) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)More details about Marine Transportation (AAS) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 60 weeks, 15 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $4,500
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $18,000
Electronic Chart Display & Information System (ECDIS)
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$1,130Program website, Electronic Chart Display & Information System (ECDIS) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Electronic Chart Display & Information System (ECDIS) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 1 week, 6 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,130
Rating Forming Part of Navigational Watch
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$1,490Program website, Rating Forming Part of Navigational Watch at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Rating Forming Part of Navigational Watch at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 1 week, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,490
Bridge Resource Management
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$1,790Program website, Bridge Resource Management at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Bridge Resource Management at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 1 week, 7 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,790
Terrestrial and Electronic Navigation (Operational Level)
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$2,400Program website, Terrestrial and Electronic Navigation (Operational Level) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Terrestrial and Electronic Navigation (Operational Level) at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 3 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,400
Marine Transportation (OEC)
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Juneau
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$2,700Program website, Marine Transportation (OEC) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)More details about Marine Transportation (OEC) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Left out
- Cost of supplies
- $675
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,700
Advanced Training for Polar Operations
AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$2,750Program website, Advanced Training for Polar Operations at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical CenterMore details about Advanced Training for Polar Operations at AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 1 week, 25 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,750
Qualified Member of the Engine Department - QMED (Cert)
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Juneau
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$9,000School website, Qualified Member of the Engine Department - QMED (Cert) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)More details about Qualified Member of the Engine Department - QMED (Cert) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 30 weeks, 15 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,250
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,000
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for merchant mariner training in Alaska
WIOA funding can pay for merchant mariner training in Alaska
Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?
Financial aid and grants for merchant mariner training
Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78
GI Bill for merchant mariner training
Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9
The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.
Quick facts: Merchant mariner training in Alaska
- programs with a price cost under $1,000
- 7 of 21
- most maritime programs of any state, after Washington
- 2nd
State comparisons use the same figures as the merchant mariner training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).
Other training in Alaska
How merchant mariner training compares with the rest of transportation and logistics: Transportation and logistics training in Alaska
- CDL training42 programs
- CNA classes5 programs
- Medical assistant training6 programs
- Phlebotomy training3 programs
- Welding classes19 programs
- HVAC training5 programs
- Medical billing and coding training6 programs
- EMT classes4 programs
- Electrician training3 programs
- Dental assistant programs4 programs
- Auto mechanic classes5 programs
- Pharmacy technician training1 program
- Plumbing school3 programs
- Carpentry classes15 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training9 programs
- Diesel mechanic training3 programs
- Cybersecurity training1 program
- IT training6 programs
- Barber school3 programs
- Esthetician school4 programs
- Nail tech school3 programs
- Massage therapy school2 programs
- Paralegal programs3 programs
- Fire academy3 programs
- Police academy5 programs
- Surgical tech programs1 program
- Culinary school8 programs
- Home health aide training1 program
- PTA programs1 program
- Medical administrative assistant training2 programs
- Human resources training1 program
- Industrial maintenance technician training6 programs
- Early childhood education programs5 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school12 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training4 programs
- Hospitality management programs1 program
- Coding and software development courses1 program
- Sonography school1 program
- Administrative assistant training7 programs
- Medical lab technician programs2 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses5 programs
- Web and graphic design courses2 programs
- Health information technology programs3 programs
- Vet tech programs2 programs
- Crane operator training1 program
- Home inspector training1 program
- Flight school41 programs
- Mental health technician training1 program
- Human services programs4 programs
- Manufacturing technician training3 programs
- Electronics technician training3 programs
- Business administration programs14 programs
- Criminal justice programs1 program
- Teacher assistant certification1 program
- Sheet metal training1 program
- Water treatment operator training2 programs
- OSHA safety training17 programs
- Construction training programs19 programs
- Dental hygiene programs2 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes8 programs
- RN programs1 program
- Project management certification1 program
Where the Alaska merchant mariner program numbers come from
Which Alaska merchant mariner programs are on this list?
These are the merchant mariner programs Alaska approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Alaska offers.
How the prices and results of Alaska merchant mariner programs are measured
Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.
Sources for the facts about merchant mariner training in Alaska
Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Water Transportation Workers
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 46 CFR 10.225, requirements for original Merchant Mariner Credentials
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List