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Ship Pilots


At a Glance

  • Direct large ships through familiar waterways
  • Are also called marine pilots
  • Are responsible for the health and safety of crew members
  • May work long hours and at odd times
  • May work in shifts or on-call
  • Most complete a formal training program
  • Some work their way up to this position
  • Need a license

Career summary

Ship pilots guide ships through channels, harbors, or other waterways.

Ship pilots are also called marine pilots. Ship pilots direct large ships through bodies of water to reduce chances of accidents in areas that are congested or dangerous. They board the ship prior to it entering the waterway. They know how different levels of water and changes in the weather affect navigating that particular waterway. They use:

Some pilots use tugboats to lead ships. Others steer the ships themselves or direct the workers who are at the helm. They make decisions about the speed of ships based on their weight, the current, the weather, and the tide. They monitor lighthouses, buoys, and other markers while steering ships.

Harbor pilots operate ships within harbors. Some pilots work on one vessel that stays within the harbor area. Other ship pilots work on different ships during the same day. Each ship may be from a different country, and pilots may work with crews who speak other languages.

Ship pilots help with or direct rescue situations.

Pilots maintain daily logs of operations and problems. They report illegal ship operations to the proper authorities. Because navigation technology is constantly updating, they also learn how to operate new technology systems.

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to ship pilots.

Common work activities

Ship pilots perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, ship pilots:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Ship pilots frequently:

It is important for ship pilots to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for ship pilots to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Ship pilots need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Work with people

Work with things

Perceive and visualize

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a ship pilot, you typically need to:

Education after high school

Training programs for ship officers are approved and monitored by the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security. You must be licensed by this agency to operate watercraft.

You can prepare for a ship officer license by attending the US Merchant Marine Academy or one of six state academies. Three academies are located on the East Coast, in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. The other three are located in Michigan, Texas, and California.

These academies offer a four-year training program that leads to a bachelor's degree. The training at the academies prepares you for the licensing exam. Courses cover topics such as navigation, rules of the road, and meteorology. You also study marine rules and pollution, cargo, and standing watch. After graduating, you may pursue a license as a third mate (deck officer).

Ship pilots usually complete an apprenticeship with a towing company or pilot's association.

Work experience

Ship pilots typically have several years of work experience. You can prepare for a ship pilot apprenticeship by gaining experience as a deckhand. Local unions provide training. As you gain experience and pass rating exams, you move up the ranks.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be quartermasters and boat operators. Training lasts six to 22 weeks, depending on your specialty. Another option is training as a ship and submarine officer. The length of training varies by specialty. For both occupations additional training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements (external link). You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups (PDF file) that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers require ship pilots to be licensed. They hire applicants who are licensed for the territory they operate within as well as the type of craft they drive. Usually employers do not require formal training. However, since competition is stiff, pilots with experience and training may have an edge over other applicants.

Employers look for pilots who work well under pressure. They also look for pilots who can lead and be responsible for the safety of others. Pilots must also be in good physical shape.

Pilots must have many years of experience as ship captains. They must also have detailed knowledge of the waters in the specific pilotage district.

Costs to workers

Costs include all-weather clothing and license fees. Many workers join a union and pay an initiation fee and quarterly dues.

Licensing/certification

Ship pilots in Washington must be licensed by the State. Because of possible impacts to public safety, property, and the environment, licensing requirements are stringent and complex. For details about licensing, contact:

Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners (external link)
2901 Third Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98121
206.515.3904

Ship pilots must also have a masters' license.

For more information about licensing, contact:

United States Coast Guard
National Maritime Center
Merchant Mariner Licensing & Documentation (external link)

100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404
888.427.5662

#2/12/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

Ship pilots are paid from a tariff on each ship which is moved in a pilotage district. How much a pilot earns depends on ship traffic. Earnings are pooled by the pilots and split among them each month.

#Rec'd email from Peggy Larson 4/2/07 at WA Board of Pilotage Commissioners; she said there is no max salary set by the State; that until 2006, the Board set a Target Net Income (TNI) of $214,665 for Puget Sound pilots plus $23,943 each for expenses. In '06, the TNI was discontinued and the Board gave pilots 24% across-the-board increase that covered salaries and expenses. I removed our statement about maximum pilots could earn being set by the state based on Peggy's mail, 4/2/07, CJ. Still saw max pay set by State statement ($213,000) in above info so deleted as doesn't appear to be true; found Feb. 11, 2009 Seattle Times article citing Pacific Merchant Shipping Assn as saying the 60 WA large vessel pilots made an average of $400,000 in 2008. 4/8/09, cj.

#See additional PSBJ article (opinion) 6/11-17/2010 in file. Lh. Tafiff info still applicable 1/30/17 cj. Another related resource found 3/13/19, cj, which discusses tariffs etc. http://leg.wa.gov/JTC/Documents/Studies/Pilotage/PilotageFinalReport_Jan2018.pdf 

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (SOC 53-5021)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $20.79 $26.23 $39.84 $52.06 $74.98
Monthly $3,603 $4,546 $6,904 $9,022 $12,994
Yearly $43,240 $54,560 $82,870 $108,290 $155,950
    Bremerton-Silverdale Hourly $18.47 $27.29 $34.51 $53.98 $81.86
Monthly $3,201 $4,729 $5,981 $9,355 $14,186
Yearly $38,404 $56,764 $71,778 $112,295 $170,266
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes Hourly $22.32 $25.53 $31.84 $38.65 $42.72
Monthly $3,868 $4,424 $5,518 $6,698 $7,403
Yearly $46,413 $53,092 $66,227 $80,392 $88,872
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $21.72 $27.69 $42.80 $55.32 $80.55
Monthly $3,764 $4,799 $7,417 $9,587 $13,959
Yearly $45,179 $57,596 $89,015 $115,063 $167,546
    Vancouver Hourly $24.87 $35.39 $43.32 $49.46 $74.01
Monthly $4,310 $6,133 $7,507 $8,571 $12,826
Yearly $51,717 $73,623 $90,117 $102,893 $153,939
United States Hourly $17.03 $23.17 $33.26 $48.43 $69.56
Monthly $2,951 $4,015 $5,764 $8,393 $12,055
Yearly $35,410 $48,190 $69,180 $100,730 $144,690

Wages vary widely based on the location and the pilot's experience.

Many mariners who work full time on American ships receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance and sick leave. Some employers also offer retirement plans. 

National wage information is not available specifically for ship pilots. However, they are part of the larger group of "captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels."

Employment and outlook

Washington employment

 

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (SOC 53-5021)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 1,629 0.0% 16.1% 161
    Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties 10 10.0% 8.6% 1
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 50 8.0% 11.9% 6
    Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 66 12.1% 15.2% 9
    Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties 42 4.8% 14.1% 5
    Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties 39 2.6% 14.6% 4
    King County 1,301 -0.5% 19.6% 127
    Pierce County 32 3.1% 15.2% 3
    Snohomish County 94 1.1% 12.4% 9
    Spokane County 11 36.4% 13.9% 2
United States 38,700 -1.8% 5.2% 3,600

National employment

Pilots who work for transportation companies may work on tugs, towboats, ferries, or dredges. Pilots who work on river and lake vessels may be members of the crew. Those who work in harbors often work for the local pilot's association.

Major employers:

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to show little to no change. Changes in the demand for bulk commodities, such as petroleum products, iron ore, and grains, influences the demand for water transportation workers. When demand slows, so does the need for workers.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for ship pilots. However, they are part of the larger group of "captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels."

Other resources

Board of Pilotage Commissioners (external link)
2901 Third Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98121
Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific (external link)
1711 West Nickerson Street, Suite D
Seattle, WA 98119
206.284.6001
International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots (external link)
700 Maritime Boulevard, Suite B
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
877.667.5522
410.850.8500

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupation

Holland occupational clusters

COPSystem