DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard. Excludes ?Motorboat Operators? (53-5022).

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
Wages Updated to First Quarter, 2020

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
EDR 5 - North Central	N/A	0	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Minnesota	N/A	N/A	$38.74/hr	$1.20/hr	$10.28/hr	$29.30/hr	$38.80/hr	$52.03/hr	$61.18/hr
U S	33,370	1,935	$42.99/hr	$1.38/hr	$18.33/hr	$24.60/hr	$35.57/hr	$51.79/hr	$75.57/hr
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate.

Related Occupations

Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
	Employment	Median Wage	% Change  -
Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer	600	$21.43/hr	N/A
Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services	270	$16.54/hr	N/A
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	230	$18.60/hr	N/A

• Commands water vessels, such as passenger and freight vessels, fishing vessels, yachts, tugboats, barges, deep submergence vehicles, and ferryboats.
• Directs and coordinates activities of crew or workers, such as loading and unloading, operating signal devices, fishing, and repairing defective equipment.
• Steers and operates vessel or orders helmsperson to steer vessel, using radio, depth finder, radar, lights, buoys, and lighthouses.
• Computes position, sets course, and determines speed, using charts, area plotting sheets, compass, sextant, and knowledge of local conditions.
• Inspects vessel to ensure safety of crew and passengers, efficient and safe operation of vessel and equipment, and conformance to regulations.
• Signals crew or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates and ramps, and pull guard chains across entry.
• Monitors sonar and navigational aids and reads gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, and oxygen.
• Calculates sighting of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on chart.
• Maintains records of daily activities, movements, and ports-of-call, and prepares progress and personnel reports.
• Interviews, hires, and instructs crew, and assigns watches and living quarters.
• Tows and maneuvers barge or signals tugboat to tow barge to destination.
• Signals passing vessels, using whistle, flashing lights, flags, and radio.
• Purchases supplies and equipment, contacts buyers to sell fish, and resolves questions or problems with customs officials.
• Collects fares from customers or signals ferryboat helper to collect fares.
• Supervises crew in repair or replacement of defective vessel gear and equipment.
• Supervises crew in cleaning and maintaining decks, superstructure, and bridge.
• Observes loading and unloading of cargo and equipment to ensure that handling and storage are according to specifications.
• Supervises activities of crew engaged in ship's activity, such as barging, towing, dredging, or fishing.
• Stands watch on vessel during specified periods while vessel is underway.
• Inspects equipment, such as cargo-handling gear, lifesaving equipment, fishing, towing, or dredging gear, and visual-signaling equipment, for defects.
• Assumes command of vessel in event ship master becomes incapacitated.
• Observes water from masthead and advises navigational direction.
• Determines geographical position of ship, using loran and azimuths of celestial bodies.
• Steers vessel, utilizing navigation devices, such as compass and sexton, and navigational aids, such as lighthouses and buoys.
• Directs course and speed of ship on basis of specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, tides, and current.
• Orders worker at helm to steer ship.
• Navigates ship to avoid reefs, outlying shoals, and other hazards, utilizing aids to navigation, such as lighthouses and buoys.
• Signals tugboat captain to berth and unberth ship.