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Harbor master vs port captain

The differences between harbor masters and port captains can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a harbor master and a port captain. Additionally, a port captain has an average salary of $57,720, which is higher than the $52,596 average annual salary of a harbor master.

The top three skills for a harbor master include reservations, boats and customer service. The most important skills for a port captain are vessel operations, safety program, and USCG.

Harbor master vs port captain overview

Harbor MasterPort Captain
Yearly salary$52,596$57,720
Hourly rate$25.29$27.75
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs8,3753,973
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Harbor master vs port captain salary

Harbor masters and port captains have different pay scales, as shown below.

Harbor MasterPort Captain
Average salary$52,596$57,720
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $118,000Between $34,000 And $95,000
Highest paying City-Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Crowley Holdings Inc.
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between harbor master and port captain education

There are a few differences between a harbor master and a port captain in terms of educational background:

Harbor MasterPort Captain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldSUNY Maritime College

Harbor master vs port captain demographics

Here are the differences between harbor masters' and port captains' demographics:

Harbor MasterPort Captain
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 84.7% Female, 15.3%Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.4% 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between harbor master and port captain duties and responsibilities

Harbor master example responsibilities.

  • Manage records and assist customers with billing and reservations.organize and assist with running of events.
  • Train and advance the skills of firefighting team members.
  • Own two vessels (2000dwt coastal freighter working Caribbean and 190 foot supply tug).
  • Manage outgoing and incoming canoe rentals and provide customers with instructional sessions.
  • Manage outgoing and incoming canoe rentals and provide customers with instructional sessions.

Port captain example responsibilities.

  • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
  • Maintain boats to USCG standards in image and maintanence.
  • Supervise all schedules, budgets, payroll, and inspections including maintenance and USCG.
  • Direct the installation, operation and maintenance of military radio and telecommunications assets for combat infantry units and fix telephone facilities.
  • Monitor operations to consistently meet BP requirements.

Harbor master vs port captain skills

Common harbor master skills
  • Reservations, 28%
  • Boats, 24%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Emergency Situations, 10%
  • Law Enforcement, 7%
  • US Coast Guard, 5%
Common port captain skills
  • Vessel Operations, 27%
  • Safety Program, 15%
  • USCG, 13%
  • Cargo Operations, 7%
  • ABS, 5%
  • US Coast Guard, 5%

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