Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

People in this career operate and control water vessels, which requires a strong focus on safety, navigation, and equipment monitoring. Day-to-day tasks involve operating vehicles and mechanized equipment, inspecting structures or materials, and making critical decisions to solve problems on the water. Captains and pilots must constantly monitor their surroundings, identify objects or events, and gather information to ensure safe transit.

Success in this role relies on skills like active listening, speaking, coordination, and personnel management. Workers need a strong understanding of transportation systems, public safety, geography, and mechanical operations. Because they are responsible for the vessel and crew, these professionals must show leadership, dependability, cautiousness, and high stress tolerance. They must also evaluate information to ensure all operations comply with maritime laws and government standards.

To enter this field, workers typically need a postsecondary certificate. The career falls under a medium preparation level, where many people complete vocational training, earn an associate degree, or gain related on-the-job experience. Students interested in this pathway often major in marine transportation.

Professionals in this occupation must hold a license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, and some states also list specific licensing requirements. Available certifications include the National Apprentice Mate or National Entry Level Ratings from the United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center. Other certifications, such as Basic Cruising, Basic Keelboat, Coastal Navigation, and Coastal Passagemaking, are also available through J World.

The median annual pay for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $92,460. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location; the lowest 10% of workers earn less than $47,420, while the highest 10% earn more than $170,640.

There are 36,850 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 4%, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. Despite this steady growth rate, the industry expects about 3,800 job openings each year due to retirement and turnover.