Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
Motorboat Operators
SOC: 53-5022 O*NET: 53-5022.00
Median Salary
$51,880
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
What does a Motorboat Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,970
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,860
25th percentile
Median
$51,880
50th percentile
Experienced
$68,490
75th percentile
Top Earners
$82,330
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,970
25th
$39,860
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$51,880
Mean: $55,370
75th
$68,490
90th
$82,330
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $50,360 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,860 and $68,490
- •Salary spread is 55.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 2,380 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,700
Top Industries
Support Activities for Transportation13.4%
Support Activities for Water Transportation13.4%
Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation10.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.4%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,700
Current
2034 (Projected)2,800
+1.4%
0
Employment Change
+1.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Motorboat Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 15 locations
Florida
350 jobs$43,8902.29x
Texas
280 jobs$60,0001.32x
Hawaii
240 jobs$64,67025.14x
Louisiana
220 jobs$44,8807.52x
Tennessee
130 jobs$44,2802.64x
New York
120 jobs$61,1700.81x
New Jersey
120 jobs$44,6401.80x
Washington
100 jobs$62,1101.86x
California
90 jobs$87,9000.33x
Massachusetts
80 jobs$45,9901.49x
Georgia
70 jobs$36,4100.99x
North Carolina
40 jobs$81,2200.53x
Maryland
40 jobs$40,3900.86x
Illinois
30 jobs$67,1700.37x
Kentucky
0 jobs$36,1400.00x
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 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Equipment Maintenance
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Troubleshooting
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%
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:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Continuous Mining Machine Operators82%
5 shared skills
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic73%
5 shared skills
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics67%
5 shared skills
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door67%
5 shared skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators67%
5 shared skills
Hoist and Winch Operators67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Speaking
- ★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 Motorboat Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 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 INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME 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 indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)General Responsibilities (8)Operations & Execution (3)Management & Supervision (3)
1
Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •44% 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 Motorboat Operators
💡 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?
Motorboat Operators professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Motorboat Operators
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.78
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.38
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.33
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.33
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.32
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.28
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.8
Concern for Others
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Independence
4.3
Leadership
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Self-Control
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.0
💡 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
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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