Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels to increase by 4.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 41,300 to 42,900 jobs. Its estimate of 3,800 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($92,460), education (Postsecondary nondegree award), and related experience (Less than 5 years) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
41,300
Projected employment (2034)
42,900
Projected change (2024–2034)
4%
Annual openings (projected average)
3,800
Pay & Preparation
$92,460
Postsecondary nondegree award
Less than 5 years
None
Essential Skills
Operation and Control (3.62/5) • Monitoring (3.5/5) • Speaking (3.5/5) • Judgment and Decision Making (3.38/5) • Operations Monitoring (3.38/5) • Critical Thinking (3.38/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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