Life As a Motorboat Operator
Position Description Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
List of Motorboat Operator Job Duties
- Clean boats and repair hulls and superstructures, using hand tools, paint, and brushes.
- Position booms around docked ships.
- Tow, push, or guide other boats, barges, logs, or rafts.
- Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.
- Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
- Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.
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Qualities of a Motorboat Operator
When polled, Motorboat Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
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.
Types of Motorboat Operator Jobs
- Speedboat Operator
- Watch Leader
- Charter Leader
- Boatman
- Outboard Motorboat Operator
What Kind of Motorboat Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 3,600 jobs for Motorboat Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Motorboat Operator by 2026. The BLS estimates 400 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Motorboat Operator are Texas, Florida, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, North Carolina, or Minnesota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Motorboat Operators Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Motorboat Operators ranges between about $23,830 and $78,120 a year.

Motorboat Operators who work in New York, Illinois, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Motorboat Operators in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $47,270 |
Arizona | $50,430 |
California | $47,420 |
Florida | $38,550 |
Hawaii | $51,190 |
Illinois | $67,270 |
Louisiana | $50,140 |
Massachusetts | $34,780 |
Michigan | $44,890 |
Minnesota | $39,130 |
New Jersey | $56,740 |
New York | $65,120 |
Oregon | $54,010 |
Tennessee | $49,250 |
Texas | $48,440 |
Virginia | $44,360 |
Washington | $55,040 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Motorboat Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Motorboat Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Web browser software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Cartography software
Becoming a Motorboat Operator
What kind of Motorboat Operator requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Motorboat Operator?

Where Motorboat Operators Work

Below are examples of industries where Motorboat Operators work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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