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What Does it Take to Be a Ship Captain?
Ship Captain Job Description Command vessels in oceans, bays, lakes, rivers, or coastal waters.
A Day in the Life of a Ship Captain
- Conduct safety drills with crew.
- Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
- Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
- Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
- Interview and hire crew members.
- Monitor the loading or discharging of cargo or passengers.
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Qualities of a Ship Captain
Below is a list of the skills most Ship Captains say are important on the job.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Derrick Boat Captain
- Boat Operator
- Navigator
- Harbor Tug Captain
- Barge Captain
Ship Captain Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 38,800 jobs for Ship Captain in 2016. 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 Captain by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,400 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Ship Captain 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 Captain Salary
The typical yearly salary for Ship Captains is somewhere between $35,410 and $144,690.
Ship Captains who work in Texas, Oregon, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Ship Captains 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Ship Captains Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Ship Captains may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Autodesk Revit
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Log book software
- KNMI TurboWin
- Jeppesen Marine Nobeltec Admiral
- Maptech The CAPN
Becoming a Ship Captain
What education is needed to be a Ship Captain?
What work experience do I need to become a Ship Captain?
Who Employs Ship Captains?
Ship Captains work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Ship Captain in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
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