Pilots, Ship

Command ships to steer them into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, or sounds, or on rivers, lakes, or bays. Must be licensed by U.S. Coast Guard with limitations indicating class and tonnage of vessels for which license is valid and route and waters that may be piloted.

Median Annual Wage: $72,340

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (43%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Pilot; Docking Pilot; Ship Pilot; River Pilot; Towboat Pilot; Harbor Pilot; State Pilot; Marine Pilot; Relief Docking Master; Boat Pilot

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Pilots, Ship.

More Transportation and Material Moving Careers

  • Steer ships into or out of berths or signal tugboat captains to berth or unberth ships.
  • Set ships' courses that avoid reefs, outlying shoals, or other hazards, using navigational aids, such as lighthouses or buoys.
  • Prevent ships under their navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
  • Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or when at a berth.
  • Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
  • Give directions to crew members who are steering ships.
  • Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
  • Provide assistance to vessels approaching or leaving seacoasts, navigating harbors, or docking and undocking.
  • Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
  • Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
  • Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.
  • Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures, through the use of instruction, simulators, or models.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Pilots, Ship.

  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • 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.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Pilots, Ship.

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