Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
SOC Code: 53-5021Also known as:
Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman), Able Bodied Tankerman (AB Tankerman), Area Relief Pilot, Bar Pilot, Barge Captain
Median Annual Salary
$85,540
+0.5% growth (2024-2034)
4K
Openings/Year
41K
Current Jobs
What Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels Do
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
💰 Salary
$85,540
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+0.5%
Little or no change
🎓 Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
4K
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
Less than 5 years
Required before entry
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
40,700
Projected Employment (2034)
40,900
Related Careers
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
$226,600 •
+3.9% growth
Commercial pilots
$122,670 •
+5.1% growth
Sailors and marine oilers
$49,610 •
+2.3% growth
Motorboat operators
$51,880 •
+1.4% growth
Ship engineers
$101,320 •
+1.6% growth
Top Skills Required
Operation and Control
Speaking
Monitoring
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
- Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels:
Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer
561 degrees awarded •
9 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Merchant Marine Academy | Kings Point, NY | 94 | B+ |
| 2 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | 53 | B+ |
| 3 | SUNY Maritime College | Throggs Neck, NY | 139 | C+ |
| 4 | California State University Maritime Academy | Vallejo, CA | 94 | C+ |
| 5 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy | Buzzards Bay, MA | 56 | C+ |
| 6 | Maine Maritime Academy | Castine, ME | 54 | C+ |
| 7 | Northwestern Michigan College | Traverse City, MI | 41 | C+ |
| 8 | San Jacinto Community College | Pasadena, TX | 18 | C+ |
| 9 | Seattle Central College | Seattle, WA | 12 | C+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make?
The median annual salary for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $85,540.
What education do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels need?
Most captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels positions require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Common degree programs include Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer.
Is becoming captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels a good career choice?
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is projected to see +0.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 4,300 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?
Top colleges for aspiring captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels include
United States Merchant Marine Academy, Texas A & M University-College Station, SUNY Maritime College, California State University Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels may also be known as: Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman), Able Bodied Tankerman (AB Tankerman), Area Relief Pilot, Bar Pilot, Barge Captain, Barge Master, Barge Mate, Barge Pilot, Boat Captain, Boat Master, Boat Mate, Boat Operator, Boat Pilot, Boatswain, Boatswain's Mate, Canal Boat Captain, Canal Boat Operator, Canal Driver, Captain, Car Ferry Captain.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.