Become A Captain
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Captain
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Training and Teaching Others
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Deal with People
Stressful
$39,500
Average Salary
What Does A Captain Do
How To Become A Captain
Coaches and scouts typically need a bachelor’s degree. They must also have extensive knowledge of the sport. Coaches typically gain this knowledge through their own experiences playing the sport at some level. Although previous playing experience may be beneficial, it is not required for most scouting jobs.
EducationCollege and professional coaches must usually have a bachelor’s degree. This degree can typically be in any subject. However, some coaches may decide to study exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine.
High schools typically hire teachers or administrators at the school for most coaching jobs. If no suitable teacher is found, schools hire a qualified candidate from outside the school. For more information on education requirements for teachers, see the profile on high school teachers.
Scouts must also typically have a bachelor’s degree. Some scouts decide to get a degree in business, marketing, sales, or sports management.
Other ExperienceCollege and professional coaching jobs also typically require experience playing the sport at some level.
Scouting jobs typically do not require experience playing a sport at the college or professional level, but it can be beneficial. Employers look for applicants with a passion for sports and an ability to spot young players who have exceptional athletic ability and skills.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsMost state high school athletic associations require coaches to be certified or at least complete mandatory education courses.
Certification often requires coaches to be a minimum age (at least 18 years old) and be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. Some states also require coaches to attend classes related to sports safety and coaching fundamentals prior to becoming certified. For information of specific state coaching requirements, contact the state’s high school athletic association or visit the National Association of State Boards of Education.
Although most public high school coaches need to meet these state requirements in order to become a coach, certification may not be required for coaching and sports instructor jobs in private schools.
Some schools may require coaches to have a teaching license and complete a background check.
Certification requirements for college coaching positions also vary.
Additional certification may be highly desirable or even required in order to become an instructor in scuba diving, tennis, golf, karate, or other individual sports. There are many certifying organizations specific to the various sports, and their requirements vary.
Part-time workers and those in smaller facilities or youth leagues are less likely to need formal education or training and may not need certification.
AdvancementTo reach the ranks of professional coaches, a candidate usually needs years of coaching experience and a winning record at a college. Some coaches may not have previous coaching experience but are nevertheless hired at the professional level due to their success as an athlete in that sport.
Some college coaches begin their careers as graduate assistants or assistant coaches to gain the knowledge and experience needed to become a head coach. Large schools and colleges that compete at the highest levels require a head coach with substantial experience at another school or as an assistant coach.
Other college coaches may start out as high school coaches before moving up to the collegiate level.
Scouts may begin working as talent spotters in a particular area or region. They typically advance to become supervising scouts responsible for a whole territory or region.
Important QualitiesCommunication skills. Because coaches instruct, organize, and motivate athletes, they must have excellent communication skills. They must effectively communicate proper techniques, strategies, and rules of the sport so every player on the team understands.
Decisionmaking skills. Coaches must choose the appropriate players to use at a given position at a given time during a game and know the proper time to utilize game-managing tools such as timeouts. Coaches and scouts also must be very selective when recruiting players from lower levels of athletics.
Dedication. Coaches must attend daily practices and assist their team and individual athletes in improving their skills and physical conditioning. Coaches must be dedicated to their sport, as it often takes years to become successful.
Interpersonal skills. Being able to relate to athletes helps coaches and scouts foster positive relationships with their current players and recruit potential players.
Leadership skills. Coaches must demonstrate good leadership skills to get the most out of athletes. They also must be able to motivate, develop, and direct young athletes.
Resourcefulness. Coaches must find a strategy and develop a game plan that yields the best chances for winning. Coaches often need to create original plays or formations that provide a competitive advantage and confuse opponents.
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Captain jobs
Captain Career Paths
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Correctional Officer Captain 6.7 years
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Station Captain 4.2 years
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Chief Of Operations 3.9 years
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Boat Captain 3.8 years
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Banquet Captain 3.1 years
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Captain 3.0 years
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Co-Captain 2.0 years
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Internship 13.5%
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Volunteer 11.9%
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Sales Associate 6.9%
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Lieutenant 6.8%
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Cashier 6.0%
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Mate 5.0%
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President 4.6%
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Server 4.5%
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First Officer 4.4%
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Sergeant 4.0%
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Manager 4.0%
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Assistant Manager 3.7%
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Pilot 3.6%
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Camp Counselor 3.5%
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Vice President 3.3%
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Deckhand 3.1%
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Flight Instructor 2.8%
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Leader 2.7%
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Assistant 2.7%
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Internship 13.7%
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Volunteer 10.8%
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Sales Associate 8.9%
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President 6.2%
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Server 5.6%
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Cashier 5.6%
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Vice President 5.4%
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Manager 5.2%
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Assistant Manager 4.6%
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Research Assistant 3.3%
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Team Leader 3.2%
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Sales Representative 3.1%
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Assistant Coach 3.0%
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Coach 2.9%
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Owner 2.9%
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Instructor 2.9%
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Project Manager 2.8%
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Leader 2.7%
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Supervisor 2.7%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Captain
Top Careers After Captain
Captain Demographics
Gender
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Male
62.1% -
Female
35.6% -
Unknown
2.3%
Ethnicity
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White
80.0% -
Hispanic or Latino
9.5% -
Asian
8.1% -
Unknown
1.7% -
Black or African American
0.6%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
51.9% -
French
12.6% -
Chinese
4.5% -
German
3.9% -
Mandarin
3.8% -
Italian
3.6% -
Portuguese
3.2% -
Arabic
2.7% -
Russian
2.4% -
Japanese
2.2% -
Hindi
2.0% -
Korean
1.4% -
Cantonese
1.3% -
Carrier
0.9% -
Vietnamese
0.7% -
Hebrew
0.7% -
Urdu
0.7% -
Greek
0.5% -
Swedish
0.5% -
Tagalog
0.5%
Captain
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Captain Education
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University of Phoenix
9.5% -
Pennsylvania State University
8.7% -
University of Connecticut
5.8% -
University of Iowa
5.6% -
Florida State University
5.0% -
Texas A&M University
4.8% -
University of Texas at Austin
4.8% -
University of Florida
4.7% -
Michigan State University
4.7% -
Liberty University
4.5% -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
4.5% -
University of Alabama
4.5% -
The Academy
4.5% -
Troy University
4.2% -
West Virginia University
4.2% -
University of Rhode Island
4.1% -
Syracuse University
4.0% -
Auburn University
4.0% -
University of Arizona
4.0% -
University of Georgia
3.9% -
Business 23.6%
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Criminal Justice 8.2%
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Psychology 6.9%
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Kinesiology 6.0%
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Communication 5.6%
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Management 4.8%
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Marketing 4.5%
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Finance 4.2%
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Political Science 4.1%
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Biology 3.9%
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Accounting 3.7%
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Economics 3.6%
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Nursing 3.1%
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Computer Science 2.5%
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Aviation 2.5%
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Education 2.4%
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History 2.4%
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English 2.3%
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General Studies 2.3%
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Bachelors
52.9% -
Other
21.7% -
Masters
14.0% -
Associate
6.1% -
Certificate
2.5% -
Doctorate
1.7% -
Diploma
0.8% -
License
0.3%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Captain
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Captain Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | J and M Charters, Inc. | West Palm Beach, FL | Dec 01, 2013 | $162,000 |
| Captain | J and M Charters, Inc. | West Palm Beach, FL | Nov 01, 2013 | $162,000 |
| Atr-42 Captain | Hyannis Air Service, Inc. | Aug 11, 2014 | $133,735 | |
| Captain | Westfield, LLC | Los Angeles, CA | Feb 01, 2013 | $115,000 - $165,000 |
| Captain | Tactical Escapes LLC | Virginia Beach, VA | Jan 01, 2016 | $108,000 |
| Captain (Flight Pilot) | Ross Investments, Inc. | Sacramento, CA | Jan 07, 2012 | $100,000 |
| Project Captain | Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects | Dallas, TX | Dec 16, 2015 | $80,579 |
| Project Captain | Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects, Inc. | Dallas, TX | Sep 02, 2016 | $78,000 |
| Captain | Sail With Scott LLC | TX | Apr 01, 2014 | $73,045 |
| Cessna 402 Captain | Hyannis Air Service, Inc. | MA | Oct 01, 2013 | $67,283 |
| Cessna 402 Captain | Hyannis Air Service, Inc. | MA | Sep 30, 2013 | $67,283 |
| Captain | Maid of The Mist Corporation | NY | Apr 01, 2014 | $64,488 |
| Project Captain | Kravitz Design, Inc. | New York, NY | Sep 22, 2016 | $62,000 |
| Captain | Maid of The Mist Corporation | Niagara Falls, NY | Apr 01, 2016 | $60,189 |
| Captain | Maid of The Mist Corporation | Niagara Falls, NY | Apr 01, 2015 | $57,351 |
| Captain | Smith Enterprises LLC | Boothbay Harbor, ME | Jun 28, 2013 | $52,175 - $62,610 |
| Captain | Hyannis Air Service, Inc. | Fort Leonard Wood, MO | Jan 01, 2014 | $45,267 - $67,911 |
| Cessna 402 Captain | Hyannis Air Service, Inc. | Barnstable Town, MA | Apr 06, 2014 | $43,908 |
| Server Captain | Davidson Hotel Company | Newport, RI | May 15, 2016 | $39,382 |
| Server Captain | Boca West Country Club, Inc. | Boca Raton, FL | Oct 01, 2015 | $38,797 |
| Server Captain | Boca West Country Club, Inc. | FL | Oct 01, 2013 | $38,797 |
| Server Captain | The Polo Club of Boca Raton, Inc. | FL | Oct 01, 2013 | $38,797 |
| Server Captain | Boca West Country Club, Inc. | FL | Oct 01, 2014 | $38,797 |
| Captain(of Fishing Boat) | Mid-Sound Fisheries | CT | Sep 03, 2009 | $38,088 |
| Ship Captain | Glen Anthony Rice | Coral Gables, FL | Jan 18, 2008 | $38,000 |
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Top Skills for A Captain
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Top Captain Skills
- Safety Standards
- Vessel
- Personnel
- Championed safety culture, identifying opportunities to enhance safety procedures, and recommended and implemented improved safety standards.
- Maintain vessel for salvage operations, dive supervisor
- Improved the division's security posture by 60% by training 46 personnel to ensure all OPSEC positions were filled
- Followed food safety procedures according to company policies and health and sanitation regulations.
- Maintained high standards of customer service during high-volume fast paced operations.
Top Captain Employers
United States Air Force
D's Restaurant
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Captain Videos
Jason Kidd - The Captain - Career Tribute - 2013
SSBM - Every Character Does Captain Falcon's Taunt
A Day in the Life of Captain Falcon