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Vessel captain vs master mariner

The differences between vessel captains and master mariners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a vessel captain and a master mariner. Additionally, a master mariner has an average salary of $62,183, which is higher than the $57,545 average annual salary of a vessel captain.

The top three skills for a vessel captain include USCG, research vessels and vessel maintenance. The most important skills for a master mariner are USCG, boats, and general cargo.

Vessel captain vs master mariner overview

Vessel CaptainMaster Mariner
Yearly salary$57,545$62,183
Hourly rate$27.67$29.90
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs2,5458,371
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Vessel captain vs master mariner salary

Vessel captains and master mariners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vessel CaptainMaster Mariner
Average salary$57,545$62,183
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $96,000Between $23,000 And $161,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between vessel captain and master mariner education

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

Vessel CaptainMaster Mariner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBusinessMarine Transportation
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Vessel captain vs master mariner demographics

Here are the differences between vessel captains' and master mariners' demographics:

Vessel CaptainMaster Mariner
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.0% Female, 4.0%Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between vessel captain and master mariner duties and responsibilities

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.

Master mariner example responsibilities.

  • Manage records and assist customers with billing and reservations.organize and assist with running of events.
  • Train crew on use of PPE, firefighting equipment, and small boat handling procedures.
  • Master of ATB, hawser tug/barge combinations operating worldwide and GOM.

Vessel captain vs master mariner skills

Common vessel captain skills
  • USCG, 25%
  • Research Vessels, 23%
  • Vessel Maintenance, 12%
  • Stcw, 10%
  • Vessel Operations, 9%
  • DP, 6%
Common master mariner skills
  • USCG, 46%
  • Boats, 43%
  • General Cargo, 11%

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