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Motorboat Operator

Also called: Boat Operator, Launch Operator, River Pilot, Water Taxi Business Operator

Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Transportation
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Median pay
$47,520/yr
Typical range
$34,510 – $84,530
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Motorboat Operator do?

  • Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
  • Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
  • Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.

How to become a Motorboat Operator

Training: A high school diploma or GED, though some people start without a diploma. Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Skills you'll use

Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvementsTalking to othersNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Cautiousness
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Self-Control

Tools and technology

Echo sounder softwareRadar softwareAutopilot softwareRoam Devices Roam Marine Monitor HubGlobal positioning system GPS softwareSEA.AI Offshore ONE

Questions people ask

How much does a Motorboat Operator make?

About $47,520 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $34,510 and $84,530. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Motorboat Operator?

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Do you need a college degree to be a Motorboat Operator?

No four-year degree is needed. A high school diploma or GED, though some people start without a diploma.

Is Motorboat Operator a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.