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Harbor master vs vessel captain

The differences between harbor masters and vessel 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 vessel captain. Additionally, a vessel captain has an average salary of $57,545, 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 vessel captain are USCG, research vessels, and vessel maintenance.

Harbor master vs vessel captain overview

Harbor MasterVessel Captain
Yearly salary$52,596$57,545
Hourly rate$25.29$27.67
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs8,3752,545
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Harbor master vs vessel captain salary

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

Harbor MasterVessel Captain
Average salary$52,596$57,545
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $118,000Between $34,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between harbor master and vessel captain education

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

Harbor MasterVessel Captain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldStanford University

Harbor master vs vessel captain demographics

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

Harbor MasterVessel Captain
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 84.7% Female, 15.3%Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 3.2% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between harbor master and vessel 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.

Vessel captain example responsibilities.

  • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
  • Gain leadership skills through years of experience and apply leadership skills when appoint as tower captain.
  • Direct the installation, operation and maintenance of military radio and telecommunications assets for combat infantry units and fix telephone facilities.
  • Schedule maintenance projects to ensure maximum boat availability.
  • Master of ATB, hawser tug/barge combinations operating worldwide and GOM.

Harbor master vs vessel captain skills

Common harbor master skills
  • Reservations, 28%
  • Boats, 24%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Emergency Situations, 10%
  • Law Enforcement, 7%
  • US Coast Guard, 5%
Common vessel captain skills
  • USCG, 25%
  • Research Vessels, 23%
  • Vessel Maintenance, 12%
  • Stcw, 10%
  • Vessel Operations, 9%
  • DP, 6%

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