Transportation & Logistics career

Ship Captain

Also called: Ship Master · Mate · Harbor Pilot · Tugboat Captain

What ship captains do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a ship captain do?

Captains, mates and pilots of water vessels command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, and navigate them on oceans, rivers, lakes and harbors. The median pay is $92,460 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Years of sea time and credentials, and employment is projected to grow +4.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $92,460
    $44.45/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +4.0%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    3,800
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Postsecondary nondegree award
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Years of sea time and credentials
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    41,300
    Employment, 2025

What ship captains do

Ship captains and mates run vessels. They navigate, stand watch, supervise crews, plan voyages, handle cargo operations and keep ships safe and compliant. Harbor pilots guide large ships in and out of ports.

A postsecondary maritime program and Coast Guard credentials are typical. BLS projects about average growth, and pay is strong.

Typical duties

  • Navigate vessels
  • Stand watch
  • Supervise crew
  • Plan voyages
  • Oversee cargo
  • Ensure safety
  • Keep logs

Work environment and schedule

Captains work on vessels for weeks or months at a time.

Schedule: Rotations such as 28 days on, 28 days off are common.

A day in the life

  1. Take the midnight watch.
  2. Hand off the watch.
  3. Review weather routing.
  4. Run a safety drill.

See a full day in the life of a ship captain →

Ship Captain salary

Half of ship captains earned more than $92,460 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,420 for the lowest 10% to $170,640 for the top 10%.

Full ship captain pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a ship captain

  1. Attend a maritime academy or start as crew
  2. Earn sea time
  3. Pass Coast Guard exams
  4. Work as a mate
  5. Upgrade to master

A maritime academy degree or postsecondary program plus Coast Guard credentials is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a ship captain →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Navigation
  • Ship handling
  • Radar and ECDIS
  • Maritime law
  • Cargo operations

People skills

  • Leadership
  • Decision-making
  • Calm under pressure
  • Communication

All ship captain skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong pay
  • Long time off between rotations
  • Leadership
  • Adventure

Cons

  • Weeks away from home
  • Weather risks
  • High responsibility
  • Long training

Certifications and licenses

  • USCG Master or Mate license: Required.
  • STCW certificates: International training.
  • TWIC: Port access.
  • Radar observer: Required endorsement.

Career path

  1. Deckhand or Cadet: Entry.
  2. Mate: Officer.
  3. Chief Mate: Second in command.
  4. Master or Pilot: Command.

Learn the job before day one

Our Ship Captain training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as stand a safe bridge watch and plan a coastal passage, safety and how to land your first job.

View Ship Captain trainingIs this career right for me?

Deckhand

Work aboard tugboats, barges, ferries and ships handling lines, cargo and maintenance.

  • $51,520
  • 1–4 weeks

Ship Engineer

Run and repair the engines and systems that power ships.

  • $109,530
  • Years of sea time and credentials

Motorboat Operator

Run small boats for tours, fishing charters, water taxis and crew transport.

  • $47,520
  • Sea time plus license course

Bridge Tender

Open drawbridges and run canal locks so boats can pass.

  • $57,700
  • A few weeks of training

Compare: Ship Captain vs. Deckhand · Ship Captain vs. Ship Engineer · Ship Captain vs. Motorboat Operator · Ship Captain vs. Bridge Tender

Ship Captain FAQ

How do you become a ship captain?

Through a maritime academy or by working up from crew, earning sea time and Coast Guard licenses.

Is pay good?

Yes, BLS reports strong median pay.

How long are rotations?

Often weeks at a time.

How much does a ship captain make?

The median annual wage for ship captains was $92,460 ($44.45 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,420 and the highest 10% earned more than $170,640.

How long does it take to become a ship captain?

Most people need about Years of sea time and credentials of training. A maritime academy degree or postsecondary program plus Coast Guard credentials is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a ship captain?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education.

More ship captain questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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