Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.

What you’d do

Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Sailors and Marine Oilers
Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Motorboat Operators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Ship Engineers
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Commercial Pilots
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Transportation Inspectors
Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree