2021 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary Guide

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

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary 2021

Search by Location

Salary

$77.1K

Growth

-0%

Bright Outlook

Below Average

Green

How Much Do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Make 2021?

Percentile	10%	25%	50% (Median)	75%	90%
Annual Wage	$36,810	$51,770	$77,130	$108,310	$153,070
Hourly Wage	$17.70	$24.89	$37.08	$52.07	$73.59

How Much Do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Make 2021?

Percentile

10%

25%

50% (Median)

75%

90%

Annual Wage

$36,810

$51,770

$77,130

$108,310

$153,070

Hourly Wage

$17.70

$24.89

$37.08

$52.07

$73.59

What Do 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.

Also known as:

Boat Captain, Boat Operator, Captain, Ferry Boat Captain, First Mate, Ship Captain, Ship Pilot, Tugboat Captain, Tugboat Mate, Vessel Master

Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Read maps to determine routes.
Operate ships or other watercraft.
Operate communications equipment or systems.
Operate ships or other watercraft.
Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.
Operate ships or other watercraft.
Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
Assist others during emergencies.
Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
Maintain watercraft engines or machinery.
Communicate with others to coordinate material handling or movement.
Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Record operational details of travel.
Monitor work environment to ensure safety or adherence to specifications.
Determine geographic coordinates.
Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
Direct maintenance or repair activities.
Direct material handling or moving activities.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Arrange maintenance activities.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Direct maintenance or repair activities.
Acquire supplies or equipment.
Recommend personnel decisions or human resources activities.

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Job Outlook

Location	2019 Employment	2029 Employment	Percent change	Annual projected job openings
United States	38,900	38,700	-0%	3,300

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Job Outlook

Location

2019 Employment

2029 Employment

Percent change

Annual projected job openings

United States

38,900

38,700

-0%

3,300

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Schooling & Experience

Postsecondary certificate
Less than 5 years work experience
No on-the-job training

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Schools

School	Program Name	Location	Length / Graduates
Alpena Community College	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Alpena, MI	2 years: 1
California State University Maritime Academy	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Vallejo, CA	4 years: 1 4 years: 80
Clatsop Community College	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Astoria, OR	At least one but less than two years: 0 Less than one year: 4
Maine Maritime Academy	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Castine, ME	2 years: 4 4 years: 47
Massachusetts Maritime Academy	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Buzzards Bay, MA	4 years: 59
Northwestern Michigan College	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Traverse City, MI	4 years: 58
San Jacinto Community College	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Pasadena, TX	2 years: 23
Seattle Central College	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Seattle, WA	At least one but less than two years: 5
SUNY Maritime College	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	Throggs Neck, NY	4 years: 160
Texas A & M University-College Station	Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	College Station, TX	4 years: 76

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Schools

11 United States

School

Program Name

Location

Length / Graduates

Alpena Community College