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Vessel master vs marine captain

The differences between vessel masters and marine 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 marine captain. Additionally, a marine captain has an average salary of $56,956, 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 marine captain are boats, vessel maintenance, and .

Vessel master vs marine captain overview

Vessel MasterMarine Captain
Yearly salary$54,895$56,956
Hourly rate$26.39$27.38
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs8,40413,064
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Vessel master vs marine captain salary

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

Vessel MasterMarine Captain
Average salary$54,895$56,956
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $137,000Between $34,000 And $93,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between vessel master and marine captain education

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

Vessel MasterMarine Captain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY Maritime CollegeStanford University

Vessel master vs marine captain demographics

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

Vessel MasterMarine Captain
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 98.5% Female, 1.5%Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3%
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, 6.8% 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 vessel master and marine 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).

Marine 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.
  • Provide operational and technical support to the company's fleet of tugboats.

Vessel master vs marine captain skills

Common vessel master skills
  • TWIC, 33%
  • USCG, 28%
  • Coast Guard, 18%
  • Safety Equipment, 16%
  • Boats, 4%
  • DP, 1%
Common marine captain skills
  • Boats, 66%
  • Vessel Maintenance, 34%

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