Motorboat Operators

SOC: 53-5022 O*NET: 53-5022.00
Median Salary
$47,520
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.9%
Faster (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?

Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$34,510
10th percentile
Early Career
$42,760
25th percentile
Median
$47,520
50th percentile
Experienced
$69,010
75th percentile
Top Earners
$84,530
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$34,510
25th
$42,760
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,520
Mean: $56,270
75th
$69,010
90th
$84,530
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • •Salary range spans $50,020 from entry level to top earners
  • •Middle 50% earn between $42,760 and $69,010
  • •Salary spread is 55.2% around the median, showing high variation
  • •Total national employment: 2,480 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:2,800

Top Industries

Support Activities for Water Transportation10.1%
Support Activities for Transportation10.1%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services8.9%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+4.9%
Annual Openings:300

Employment Projections

2025 (Current)2,800
Current
2035 (Projected)2,900
+4.9%
+100
Employment Change
+4.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Motorboat Operators professionals work across the United States

Showing 13 of 13 locations
Hawaii
330 jobs$76,25032.64x
Texas
270 jobs$50,2701.19x
California
190 jobs$34,5700.66x
Florida
170 jobs$46,6201.09x
Louisiana
160 jobs$45,8005.25x
Washington
80 jobs$63,6501.38x
Tennessee
60 jobs$42,3601.20x
Illinois
40 jobs$68,3800.38x
New Jersey
40 jobs$44,1500.64x
New York
0 jobs$62,0000.00x
Michigan
0 jobs$46,7600.00x
Connecticut
0 jobs$45,9700.00x
Massachusetts
0 jobs$45,1600.00x

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 2025

Key Growth Factors

  • •Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#2
Operation and Control
100%
#3
Control Precision
100%
#4
Operations Monitoring
94%
#5
Spatial Orientation
92%
#6
English Language
88%
#7
Speaking
86%
#8
Far Vision
82%
#9
Equipment Maintenance
80%
#10
Education and Training
76%

Skills Overview

Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Control Precision
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Spatial Orientation
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
intermediate4.4
88%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Far Vision
intermediate4.1
82%

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:

Customer and Personal Service

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Operation and Control

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Control Precision

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Operations Monitoring

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Spatial Orientation

advanced
Importance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0

English Language

intermediate
Importance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Far Vision

intermediate
Importance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0

Equipment Maintenance

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Education and Training

intermediate
Importance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Manual Dexterity

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

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
  • ✓Customer and Personal Service
  • ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
  • →Active Listening
  • →Public Safety and Security
  • →Transportation

Mid Career

Expected:
  • ✓Operations Monitoring
  • ✓Equipment Maintenance
  • ✓Speaking
  • ✓Customer and Personal Service
  • ✓English Language

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • ★Equipment Maintenance
  • ★Speaking
  • ★Customer and Personal Service
  • ★English Language
  • ★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:
100%
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform
2

Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Operations & Execution94% perform
4

Direct safety operations in emergency situations.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Management & Supervision91% perform
5

Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Management & Supervision88% perform
6

Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform
8

Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Operations & Execution76% perform
10

Arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 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

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.78

Concern for Others

Very Important

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.38

Persistence

Very Important

Persistence

Importance Level4.33

Initiative

Very Important

Initiative

Importance Level4.33

Achievement/Effort

Very Important

Achievement/Effort

Importance Level4.32

Independence

Very Important

Independence

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

Ready to Start Your Journey?

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