Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels fall under the Transportation and Material Moving category in the U.S. occupational classification. Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earn a median salary of $85,540 per year, ranking in the top 20% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +0.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels earn?

The median annual wage for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $85,540. That puts captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels at #163 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is +0.5%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 40K positions in 2024 to 40K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
2. 2.Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
3. 3.Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
4. 4.Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
5. 5.Direct or coordinate crew members or workers performing activities such as loading or unloading cargo, steering vessels, operating engines, or operating, maintaining, or repairing ship equipment.
6. 6.Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
7. 7.Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
8. 8.Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.

Top skills for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become captains, mates, and pilots of water vessel?

Many captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
  $226,600 median
• Air Traffic Controllers
  $144,580 median
• Commercial Pilots
  $122,670 median
• Ship Engineers
  $101,320 median
• Transportation Inspectors
  $85,750 median
• Subway and Streetcar Operators
  $84,830 median

Common questions parents ask about captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels