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Vessel master vs commercial boat captain

The differences between vessel masters and commercial boat 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 vessel master and a commercial boat captain. Additionally, a commercial boat captain has an average salary of $57,166, which is higher than the $54,895 average annual salary of a vessel master.

The top three skills for a vessel master include TWIC, USCG and coast guard. The most important skills for a commercial boat captain are vessel maintenance, , and .

Vessel master vs commercial boat captain overview

Vessel MasterCommercial Boat Captain
Yearly salary$54,895$57,166
Hourly rate$26.39$27.48
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs8,40429,342
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 29%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Vessel master vs commercial boat captain salary

Vessel masters and commercial boat captains have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vessel MasterCommercial Boat Captain
Average salary$54,895$57,166
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $137,000Between $35,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between vessel master and commercial boat captain education

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

Vessel MasterCommercial Boat Captain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 29%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY Maritime CollegeSUNY Maritime College

Vessel master vs commercial boat captain demographics

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

Vessel MasterCommercial Boat Captain
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 98.5% Female, 1.5%Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 2.9% White, 79.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between vessel master and commercial boat captain duties and responsibilities

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).

Commercial boat captain example responsibilities.

  • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
  • Direct the installation, operation and maintenance of military radio and telecommunications assets for combat infantry units and fix telephone facilities.
  • Monitor checkout stations to ensure that they have adequate cash available and that they are staffed appropriately.

Vessel master vs commercial boat captain skills

Common vessel master skills
  • TWIC, 33%
  • USCG, 28%
  • Coast Guard, 18%
  • Safety Equipment, 16%
  • Boats, 4%
  • DP, 1%
Common commercial boat captain skills
  • Vessel Maintenance, 100%

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