Post job

Harbor master vs vessel master

The differences between harbor masters and vessel masters 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 master. Additionally, a vessel master has an average salary of $54,895, 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 master are TWIC, USCG, and coast guard.

Harbor master vs vessel master overview

Harbor MasterVessel Master
Yearly salary$52,596$54,895
Hourly rate$25.29$26.39
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs8,3758,404
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Harbor master vs vessel master salary

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

Harbor MasterVessel Master
Average salary$52,596$54,895
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $118,000Between $21,000 And $137,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between harbor master and vessel master education

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

Harbor MasterVessel Master
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldSUNY Maritime College

Harbor master vs vessel master demographics

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

Harbor MasterVessel Master
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 84.7% Female, 15.3%Male, 98.5% Female, 1.5%
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 vessel master 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 master example responsibilities.

  • Manage records and assist customers with billing and reservations.organize and assist with running of events.
  • Perform basic maintenance and upkeep on trucks, boats, booms, pumps, and other equipment.
  • Operate two 40,000 DWT tankers off of east coast of Canada in ice congest waters (SLS - Quebec).

Harbor master vs vessel master skills

Common harbor master skills
  • Reservations, 28%
  • Boats, 24%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Emergency Situations, 10%
  • Law Enforcement, 7%
  • US Coast Guard, 5%
Common vessel master skills
  • TWIC, 33%
  • USCG, 28%
  • Coast Guard, 18%
  • Safety Equipment, 16%
  • Boats, 4%
  • DP, 1%

Browse transportation jobs