Boat operator vs launch operator

The differences between boat operators and launch operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a boat operator and a launch operator. Additionally, a launch operator has an average salary of $72,155, 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 launch operator are boats, coast guard, and GPS.

Boat operator vs launch operator overview

	Boat Operator	Launch Operator
Yearly salary	$39,509	$72,155
Hourly rate	$18.99	$34.69
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	30,192	30,437
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Boat operator vs launch operator salary

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

	Boat Operator	Launch Operator
Average salary	$39,509	$72,155
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $64,000	Between $31,000 And $166,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between boat operator and launch operator education

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

	Boat Operator	Launch Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Boat operator vs launch operator demographics

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

	Boat Operator	Launch Operator
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 90.4% Female, 9.6%	Male, 74.3% Female, 25.7%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between boat operator and launch operator 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.

Launch operator example responsibilities.

Manage day-to-day transportation and logistics services for multinational account base.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.

Boat operator vs launch operator skills

Common boat operator skills

Safety Procedures, 31%
USCG, 22%
Boats, 21%
Coast Guard, 6%
GPS, 5%
Oil Spill, 4%

Common launch operator skills

Boats, 32%
Coast Guard, 16%
GPS, 16%
Missile, 14%
Technical Knowledge, 8%
Routine Maintenance, 7%

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Boat Operator
Boat Operator vs Launch Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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