Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Transportation and Material Moving
The license is from the U.S. Coast Guard; the work is commanding or supervising ships and smaller vessels such as tugboats and ferryboats. Course and speed come from local knowledge of winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards, checked against charts, weather reports, radar, depth finders, and ship-to-shore radios so the vessel stays out of unsafe operations. Docking can mean serving as docking master and easing through narrow berths or locks, and watches are stood while the vessel is under way. Suits people who like making navigation decisions as conditions change and giving clear orders to crew and shore.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$92'460
Median Wage Market Position
$92'460
What you might do
- Set course and speed from winds, tides, and currents
- Steer using charts, radar, and depth finders
- Dock and undock vessels in tight spaces
- Block unsafe moves while navigating the ship
- Call shore by radio to coordinate ship movements
- Stand assigned watches while the vessel is moving
Skills that matter
- Setting speed for winds, tides, and currents
- Stopping unsafe ship operations underway
- Docking and undocking through narrow locks
- Steering with radar, radios, and lights
- Ship-to-shore radio exchanges
- Reading charts, maps, and weather reports
AI & the future of this role
Command of vessels hinges on licensed judgment, local waterway knowledge, and real-time decisions under liability. Navigation aids may grow more automated, yet accountability for safe passage and crew direction tends to keep this role firmly human.
Does Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details