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Transportation and Logistics

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
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Median pay

$85,540
Median annual pay for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

0.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

4,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

40,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Transportation
  2. 2Public Safety and Security
  3. 3Mechanical
  4. 4Law and Government
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Geography

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Deductive Reasoning
  4. 4Far Vision
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Spatial Orientation

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Leadership Orientation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Controlling Machines and Processes
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Frequency of Decision Making
  3. 3Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Freedom to Make Decisions
  6. 6Health and Safety of Other Workers

Representative tasks

  • Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
  • Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
  • Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
  • Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
  • Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
  • Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
  • Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
  • Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandApple macOS · hot technologyAutodesk Revit · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office OutlookMaptech The CAPNLog book softwareKNMI TurboWinJRC navigation software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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