Motorboat Operators

Transportation, Distribution and LogisticsO*NET 53-5022.00United States

Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $46,692
Projected change: +7.8%
Typical education: High school diploma or less
Employment: 4.85K jobs

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

The work

What motorboat operators do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
Organize and direct the activities of crew members.
Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.
Oversee operation of vessels used for carrying passengers, motor vehicles, or goods across rivers, harbors, lakes, and coastal waters.
Service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.
Arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels.
Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.
Clean boats and repair hulls and superstructures, using hand tools, paint, and brushes.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $32,894
25th percentile: $41,393
50th percentile: $46,692
75th percentile: $68,653
90th percentile: $90,567

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $46,692 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+7.8%faster than average

20254,849 jobs

2035 projected5,226 jobs

377 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less: 74.4%
Bachelor's degree: 14%
Some college: 8.6%
Certificate: 2.2%
Doctoral degree or more: 0.9%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

Safety Procedures
Machinery
Physical Security Operations
Point Of Sale
Brand Loyalty
Merchandising
Radio Frequency
Security Devices
Selling Techniques
Cash Register
Boat Maintenance
Lifting Ability
Performance Review
Admiralty Law
Changing Oil
Fire Suppression Systems
First Aid
Occupational Safety And Health
Oil and Gas
Auditing

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Management of Personnel Resources: Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

01Officers/Pilots52 postings
02Captains18 postings
03Boat Captains10 postings
04Port Captains7 postings
05Taxi Drivers7 postings
06Correctional Captains5 postings
07Bridge Engineers3 postings
08Captains Server3 postings
09Deck Managers3 postings
10Test Pilots3 postings
11Fire Battalion Chiefs2 postings
12Fire Chiefs2 postings
13Line Pilots2 postings
14Administrative Assistant Supervisors1 postings
15Assistant Waterfront Directors1 postings
16Associate Chiefs of Staff1 postings
17At Your Service Supervisors1 postings
18Boat Operators1 postings
19Chief Business Officials1 postings
20Dredge Operators1 postings

Top employers

01American Cruise Lines56 postings
02Macy's8 postings
03State of South Carolina6 postings
04Encore Dredging Partners4 postings
05All Transportation3 postings
06Blt Management2 postings
07Guest Services2 postings
08KBR2 postings
09Land & Sea2 postings
10Miami Adventures Tours2 postings
11Baltimore Water Taxi1 postings
12Bi State Development Agency1 postings
13Building And Land Technology1 postings
14Bull River Marina1 postings
15City Of Fort Wayne1 postings
16City of New York1 postings
17Department Of Public Safety1 postings
18Developmental Associates1 postings
19Edjoin.Org1 postings
20Excell Marine1 postings

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