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Motorboat Operators: Job Description
Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
What Do Motorboat Operators Do?
The core tasks performed by motorboat operators cover:
- 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.
What Motorboat Operators Need to Know
Effective motorboat operators combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Motorboat Operators Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Boat Driver
- Boat Launch Operator
- Boat Operator
- Boat Person
- Boatman
- Crew Boat Operator
- Harbor Pilot
- Launch Operator
Job Outlook
There are roughly 1,466,529 motorboat operators working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +3.1% over the projection horizon.
Motorboat Operators Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $67,056 |
| Hourly median | $32.24 |
| 10th percentile | $48,117 |
| 25th percentile | $57,587 |
| 75th percentile | $76,525 |
| 90th percentile | $85,994 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Motorboat Operators Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $87,900 |
| North Carolina | $81,220 |
| Illinois | $67,170 |
| Hawaii | $64,670 |
| Washington | $62,110 |
| New York | $61,170 |
| Texas | $60,000 |
| Massachusetts | $45,990 |
| Louisiana | $44,880 |
| New Jersey | $44,640 |
| Tennessee | $44,280 |
| Florida | $43,890 |
| Guam | $41,240 |
| Maryland | $40,390 |
| Georgia | $36,410 |
| Kentucky | $36,140 |
| Puerto Rico | $26,280 |
Where Motorboat Operators Earn the Most
Pay for motorboat operators vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $68,936 | 20.8% | 14.53 |
| Great Lakes | $67,170 | 1.4% | 0.37 |
| Southwest | $60,000 | 13.5% | 1.32 |
| Middle Atlantic | $51,117 | 13.5% | 1.24 |
| New England | $45,990 | 3.9% | 1.49 |
| Southeast | $45,418 | 39.1% | 3.57 |
| Other U.S. Territories | $29,085 | 7.7% | 13.93 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | HI | $75,820 | 50 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | TX | $63,090 | |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $62,340 | 80 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | TX | $61,630 | |
| Corpus Christi, TX | TX | $59,990 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $59,050 | 190 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $54,080 | 60 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | LA | $48,350 | 80 |
Top Industries Employing Motorboat Operators
Most motorboat operators are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | 840 | $60,000 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 320 | $40,390 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 230 | $49,140 |
| Retail Trade | 150 | $41,990 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 150 | $37,260 |
| Construction | 90 | $42,060 |
| Educational Services | 70 | $60,320 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 30 | $51,500 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Expert system software: Autopilot software
- Map creation software: Cartography software
- Analytical or scientific software: Echo sounder software
- Mobile location based services software: Global positioning system GPS software
- Analytical or scientific software: Radar software
- Expert system software: Roam Devices Roam Marine Monitor Hub
- Mobile location based services software: SEA.AI Offshore ONE
- Internet browser software: Web browser software
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of motorboat operators is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
How to Become Motorboat Operators
Typical motorboat operators positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Fishing and Hunting Workers (Supplemental)
- Highway Maintenance Workers (Supplemental)
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (Supplemental)
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Riggers (Primary-Short)
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors (Supplemental)
- Commercial Pilots (Primary-Long)
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Future motorboat operators often complete programs in:
Transportation and Materials Moving
2 programs across 1 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 53-5022.00 (Motorboat Operators).
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