Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels oversee and guide vessels, drawing on technical knowledge, physical capability, and strong judgment. Nationally, this occupation employs about 41,000 people and offers a median annual salary of $85,540, indicating solid earning potential across the field. Projected employment growth of 0.5% and about 4,000 annual openings suggest a stable flow of opportunities for both new entrants and experienced mariners. The role relies on a blend of mechanical aptitude, fine motor abilities, problem solving and decision making, and strong speaking and listening skills. Leadership, project management, and adaptability are also central, alongside physical strength and stamina. Career paths may appeal to those who are detail oriented and comfortable combining technical skills with responsibility for people and equipment. For individuals interested in waterborne transportation careers, this occupation offers a mix of long-term employment prospects, competitive pay, and pathways that can build on related skills found in similar fields such as ship engineering or commercial diving.
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels earn a national median annual salary of $85,540. Within this overall picture, some locations offer notably higher median pay. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $110,090, followed by New York at $104,800 and Washington at $103,730. Virginia’s median salary of $87,610 and Massachusetts’ $77,950 illustrate that earnings can vary meaningfully across regions. At the metro level, the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area shows a median salary of $124,610, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim offers $113,260 and New York-Newark-Jersey City provides $106,230. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro reports $94,150, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton reports $75,130. These figures indicate that, depending on location, experienced professionals may find opportunities for higher compensation, particularly in selected coastal states and large metro areas with strong CareerGPS opportunity scores.
This occupation has national employment of about 41,000 captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels. Projected employment growth is 0.5%, indicating modest expansion rather than rapid change. With approximately 4,000 annual openings, there is a regular stream of opportunities, which can be important for students planning entry into the field and for experienced workers considering moves between employers or locations. The consistent growth rate of 0.5% also appears in top states and metro areas listed by CareerGPS, suggesting a broadly similar growth pattern in those key markets. While the total employment size is not extremely large compared with some other fields, the combination of steady growth and recurring openings supports ongoing demand. People exploring this career can use these indicators to gauge potential entry points and plan a path that aligns with their desired timing for training and job search.
Location plays a significant role in the opportunity profile for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels. Among states, California ranks highest by CareerGPS opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $110,090 and employment of 2,420. Massachusetts, New York, Washington, and Virginia also offer notable opportunities, with opportunity scores ranging from 54.96 to 65.87 and median salaries from $77,950 to $104,800. New York and Washington show six-figure median pay, while Virginia and Massachusetts provide somewhat lower but still substantial earnings. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City has the strongest CareerGPS opportunity score at 77.27, combining a median salary of $106,230 with employment of 2,060. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont offers the highest listed metro median salary at $124,610. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also present meaningful opportunities, though with different balances of salary, employment levels, and opportunity scores that job seekers can weigh when targeting regions.
The typical education requirement for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is a postsecondary nondegree award. This indicates that most entrants will complete education or training beyond high school without necessarily pursuing a traditional college degree. Success in this field also depends on a defined set of skills. Mechanical aptitude and fine motor abilities support work with equipment and precise movements. Problem solving and decision making, along with being detail oriented, are important for handling complex situations. Leadership and project management skills help in coordinating people and activities. Physical strength and stamina are essential components, reflecting the physical demands of the role. Science knowledge and adaptability contribute to understanding conditions and adjusting to change, while strong speaking and listening skills support clear communication. For students and career changers, combining a focused postsecondary program with development of these skills can form a practical preparation path into this occupation.
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