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
SOC: 53-5021 O*NET: 53-5021.00
Median Salary
$92,460
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
What does a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$47,420
10th percentile
Early Career
$63,880
25th percentile
Median
$92,460
50th percentile
Experienced
$127,180
75th percentile
Top Earners
$170,640
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$47,420
25th
$63,880
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$92,460
Mean: $103,720
75th
$127,180
90th
$170,640
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $123,220 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $63,880 and $127,180
- •Salary spread is 68.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 36,850 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:41,300
Top Industries
Water Transportation39.6%
Inland Water Transportation27.1%
Support Activities for Transportation25.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4%
Annual Openings:3,800
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)41,300
Current
2035 (Projected)42,900
+4%
+1,700
Employment Change
+4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 39 locations
Louisiana
6,830 jobs$117,16014.89x
Florida
5,040 jobs$76,0402.14x
Texas
3,400 jobs$111,3901.02x
California
2,420 jobs$110,0900.56x
Virginia
2,270 jobs$87,6102.33x
New York
1,930 jobs$104,8000.84x
Washington
1,560 jobs$103,7301.86x
Kentucky
1,060 jobs$02.23x
Indiana
1,010 jobs$92,0001.34x
Tennessee
940 jobs$132,7101.20x
Illinois
900 jobs$69,6000.62x
Alaska
710 jobs$88,2309.16x
Hawaii
700 jobs$72,9604.73x
Massachusetts
650 jobs$77,9500.75x
Michigan
640 jobs$53,5900.61x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Transportation
100%
#2
Operation and Control
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Monitoring
94%
#5
Public Safety and Security
92%
#6
Oral Comprehension
92%
#7
Speaking
86%
#8
Mechanical
86%
#9
Spatial Orientation
82%
#10
Operations Monitoring
80%
Skills Overview
Transportation
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Public Safety and Security
advanced4.6
92%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Mechanical
intermediate4.3
86%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Transportation
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Public Safety and Security
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Mechanical
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Spatial Orientation
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Law and Government
intermediateImportance78%
knowledge
3.9/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals100%
5 shared skills
Riggers100%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators82%
5 shared skills
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Commercial Pilots82%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Transportation
- ✓Public Safety and Security
- ✓Mechanical
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Geography
- →Administration and Management
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Transportation
- ✓Public Safety and Security
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Transportation
- ★Public Safety and Security
- ★Mechanical
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk Revit
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechApple macOS
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk Revit
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Apple macOS
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (2)General Responsibilities (13)Operations & Execution (4)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.53
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.34
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.30
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.21
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.11
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.05
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Self-Control
4.3
Leadership
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.1
Independence
4.0
Integrity
4.0
Initiative
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
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