Description
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
- Enterprising
Work Values
- Independence
- Support
- Relationships
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Self-Control
- Leadership
- Stress Tolerance
- Attention to Detail
Tasks
- Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
- Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
- Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
- Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
- Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Controlling Machines and Processes
Detailed Work Activities
- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Route navigation software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Far Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Law and Government
- English Language
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
National Master 500/1600 GL and InlandCertifying Organization
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Master Inland/Mate Near CoastalCertifying Organization
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
National Mate 200 NCCertifying Organization
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
Type
Advanced
Certifying Organization
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
National Staff OfficersCertifying Organization
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $53,140 |
| Median (50%) | $80,359 |
| High (90%) | $144,107 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $90,904 |
| Mid Level | $85,143 |
| Senior Level | $114,786 |
| Expert Level | $151,883 |
Employability
There are currently 40,200 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 41,200 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 2%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 2%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CV Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter Templates
All Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast