All About Ship Pilots
Occupation Description 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.
A Day in the Life of a Ship Pilot
- Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
- Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
- Make nautical maps.
- Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
- Provide assistance to vessels approaching or leaving seacoasts, navigating harbors, or docking and undocking.
- Serve as a vessel’s docking master upon arrival at a port or when at a berth.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Ship Pilot?
These are the skills Ship Pilots say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
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.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Maritime Pilot
- Towboat Pilot
- Docking Pilot
- Boat Pilot
- Harbor Pilot
Job Outlook for Ship Pilots
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 38,800 jobs in the United States for Ship Pilot. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,400 new jobs for Ship Pilot by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,400 positions for Ship Pilot per year.

The states with the most job growth for Ship Pilot are Nevada, Georgia, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Indiana, or Oregon. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Ship Pilot Salary
The typical yearly salary for Ship Pilots is somewhere between $35,410 and $144,690.

Ship Pilots who work in Texas, Oregon, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Ship Pilots make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $79,750 |
Alaska | $72,570 |
California | $70,840 |
Delaware | $74,790 |
Florida | $78,880 |
Georgia | $73,410 |
Hawaii | $52,830 |
Illinois | $67,020 |
Iowa | $75,600 |
Kentucky | $79,130 |
Louisiana | $93,010 |
Maine | $61,410 |
Maryland | $86,460 |
Massachusetts | $57,700 |
Michigan | $83,040 |
Minnesota | $73,910 |
New Hampshire | $51,490 |
New Jersey | $75,170 |
New York | $95,370 |
North Carolina | $55,710 |
Ohio | $47,810 |
Oregon | $100,150 |
Pennsylvania | $74,780 |
South Carolina | $67,090 |
Tennessee | $54,480 |
Texas | $103,950 |
Virginia | $77,370 |
Washington | $90,890 |
Wisconsin | $48,190 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Ship Pilots
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Ship Pilots:
- Log book software
- Jeppesen Marine Nobeltec Admiral
- Maptech The CAPN
Becoming a Ship Pilot
What kind of Ship Pilot requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Ship Pilot?

Where Ship Pilots Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Ship Pilots work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Ship Pilot may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |