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Boat operator vs boat captain

The differences between boat operators and boat captains can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a boat operator, becoming a boat captain takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a boat captain has an average salary of $43,632, which is higher than the $39,509 average annual salary of a boat operator.

The top three skills for a boat operator include safety procedures, USCG and boats. The most important skills for a boat captain are vessel maintenance, boats, and CPR.

Boat operator vs boat captain overview

Boat OperatorBoat Captain
Yearly salary$39,509$43,632
Hourly rate$18.99$20.98
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs30,1922,860
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4242
Years of experience46

Boat operator vs boat captain salary

Boat operators and boat captains have different pay scales, as shown below.

Boat OperatorBoat Captain
Average salary$39,509$43,632
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $64,000Between $28,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between boat operator and boat captain education

There are a few differences between a boat operator and a boat captain in terms of educational background:

Boat OperatorBoat Captain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common college-Stanford University

Boat operator vs boat captain demographics

Here are the differences between boat operators' and boat captains' demographics:

Boat OperatorBoat Captain
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 90.4% Female, 9.6%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 3.2% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 3.2% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between boat operator and boat captain duties and responsibilities

Boat operator example responsibilities.

  • Collect and track revenue; maintain inventory and manage boat insurance, registration and payments.
  • Analyze the detail of ISO quality certificates in ERP system to insure the achievement of the MRP parameter
  • Bid, RFP, and quote preparation.
  • Can run skimmers, vacu-max, pressure washer, forklifts ect ..
  • Deploy to Oroville, California as an emergency first responder when the dam fail.
  • Initiate and evaluate BT (bathythermograph) testing prior to audible tracking with dipping sonar.
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Boat captain example responsibilities.

  • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
  • Train to use an a defibrillator, and conducting CPR.
  • Train law enforcement personnel of several islands of the Caribbean on law enforcement and boarding procedure.
  • Deliver yacht from Europe to Caribbean.
  • Work with NOAA in collecting subsurface oils samples.
  • Experience in weather observation, first aid, CPR, and fire fighting.
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Boat operator vs boat captain skills

Common boat operator skills
  • Safety Procedures, 31%
  • USCG, 22%
  • Boats, 21%
  • Coast Guard, 6%
  • GPS, 5%
  • Oil Spill, 4%
Common boat captain skills
  • Vessel Maintenance, 28%
  • Boats, 14%
  • CPR, 13%
  • USCG, 11%
  • Safety Drills, 5%
  • Safety Training, 3%

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