All About Ship Pilots
Ship Pilot Example Command ships to steer them into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, or sounds, or on rivers, lakes, or bays. Must be licensed by U.S. Coast Guard with limitations indicating class and tonnage of vessels for which license is valid and route and waters that may be piloted.
Life As a Ship Pilot: What Do They Do?
- Prevent ships under their navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
- Maintain or repair boats or equipment.
- Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
- Steer ships into or out of berths or signal tugboat captains to berth or unberth ships.
- Set ships’ courses that avoid reefs, outlying shoals, or other hazards, using navigational aids, such as lighthouses or buoys.
- Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
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Ship Pilot Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Ship Pilots say are important on the job.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Other Ship Pilot Job Titles
- State Pilot
- Towboat Pilot
- Ferry Pilot
- Canal Driver
- Area Relief Pilot
What Kind of Ship Pilot Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 38,800 jobs for Ship Pilot in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,400 new jobs for Ship Pilot by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Ship Pilot are Nevada, Georgia, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Indiana, or Oregon. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Ship Pilot Salary
The salary for Ship Pilots ranges between about $35,410 and $144,690 a year.

Ship Pilots who work in Texas, Oregon, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Ship Pilots in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $79,750 |
Alaska | $72,570 |
California | $70,840 |
Delaware | $74,790 |
Florida | $78,880 |
Georgia | $73,410 |
Hawaii | $52,830 |
Illinois | $67,020 |
Iowa | $75,600 |
Kentucky | $79,130 |
Louisiana | $93,010 |
Maine | $61,410 |
Maryland | $86,460 |
Massachusetts | $57,700 |
Michigan | $83,040 |
Minnesota | $73,910 |
New Hampshire | $51,490 |
New Jersey | $75,170 |
New York | $95,370 |
North Carolina | $55,710 |
Ohio | $47,810 |
Oregon | $100,150 |
Pennsylvania | $74,780 |
South Carolina | $67,090 |
Tennessee | $54,480 |
Texas | $103,950 |
Virginia | $77,370 |
Washington | $90,890 |
Wisconsin | $48,190 |
What Tools do Ship Pilots Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Ship Pilots:
- Log book software
- Jeppesen Marine Nobeltec Admiral
- Maptech The CAPN
How do I Become a Ship Pilot?
What kind of Ship Pilot requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Ship Pilots Work?

Ship Pilots work in the following industries:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Ship Pilot might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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