What Do Ship Pilot Do?
Ship Pilot Definition 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.
A Day in the Life of a Ship Pilot
- Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
- Maintain ship logs.
- Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures, through the use of instruction, simulators, or models.
- Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
- Give directions to crew members who are steering ships.
- Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
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Things a Ship Pilot Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Ship Pilots say are the most useful in their careers:
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
- River Pilot
- School Boat Driver
- Ship Pilot
- Ferry Pilot
- Steamboat Pilot
Job Outlook for Ship Pilots
In the United States, there were 38,800 jobs for Ship Pilot in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 4,400 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Salary for a Ship Pilot
The average yearly salary of a Ship Pilot ranges between $35,410 and $144,690.

Ship Pilots who work in Texas, Oregon, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Ship Pilots make 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 & Technology do Ship Pilots Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Ship Pilots may use on a daily basis:
- Log book software
- Jeppesen Marine Nobeltec Admiral
- Maptech The CAPN
How do I Become a Ship Pilot?
Education needed to be a Ship Pilot:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Ship Pilots Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Ship Pilot may also be interested in:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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