Career comparison
Deckhand vs. Motorboat Operator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Deckhands earn more at the median ($51,520 vs. $47,520), while deckhands usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Deckhands work aboard tugboats, barges, ferries and ships handling lines, cargo and maintenance. Motorboat operators run small boats for tours, fishing charters, water taxis and crew transport.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Deckhand | Motorboat Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $51,520 ($24.77/hr) | $47,520 ($22.85/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $34,560 – $83,620 | $34,510 – $84,530 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.2% (about as fast as average) | +4.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 3,600 | 300 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks | Sea time plus license course |
| Key credential | Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) | USCG OUPV (six-pack) |
| Work setting | Deckhands work on vessels in all weather, on slippery decks, around heavy lines and machinery and far from shore. | Operators work on small boats in harbors, lakes, rivers and coasts.. |
What each job does
Deckhand
- Handle mooring lines and tie up vessels
- Build and break barge tows
- Stand lookout and security watches
- Load, secure and check cargo
- Clean, chip and paint the vessel
Motorboat Operator
- Operate boats
- Give safety briefings
- Navigate
- Dock and undock
- Do basic maintenance
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, travel, and hands-on work. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose deckhand if…
- I love being on the water
- I can be away for weeks at a time
- I like hard physical work
Choose motorboat operator if…
- I love boats
- I like people
- I read weather well
Still torn? Take the Deckhand fit quiz and the Motorboat Operator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, deckhand or motorboat operator?
Deckhands earn more at the median: $51,520 versus $47,520 for motorboat operators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Deckhands typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than motorboat operators (Sea time plus license course).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects motorboat operators to grow +4.9% from 2025–35, compared with +3.2% for deckhands.