Vessel operator vs terminal operator

The differences between vessel operators and terminal operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a vessel operator and a terminal operator. Additionally, a vessel operator has an average salary of $51,409, which is higher than the $39,948 average annual salary of a terminal operator.

The top three skills for a vessel operator include USCG, TWIC and safety equipment. The most important skills for a terminal operator are loaders, cranes, and rail cars.

Vessel operator vs terminal operator overview

	Vessel Operator	Terminal Operator
Yearly salary	$51,409	$39,948
Hourly rate	$24.72	$19.21
Growth rate	1%	7%
Number of jobs	29,922	43,328
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	42	43
Years of experience	4	4

Vessel operator vs terminal operator salary

Vessel operators and terminal operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Vessel Operator	Terminal Operator
Average salary	$51,409	$39,948
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $103,000	Between $32,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between vessel operator and terminal operator education

There are a few differences between a vessel operator and a terminal operator in terms of educational background:

	Vessel Operator	Terminal Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Vessel operator vs terminal operator demographics

Here are the differences between vessel operators' and terminal operators' demographics:

	Vessel Operator	Terminal Operator
Average age	42	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 15.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	11%	4%

Differences between vessel operator and terminal operator duties and responsibilities

Vessel operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Master of ATB, hawser tug/barge combinations operating worldwide and GOM.

Terminal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
Pull LTL loads for shipment.
Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

Vessel operator vs terminal operator skills

Common vessel operator skills

USCG, 32%
TWIC, 26%
Safety Equipment, 13%
Coast Guard, 11%
Logistics, 7%
Skimmers, 7%

Common terminal operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Rail Cars, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
TWIC, 5%
General Maintenance, 5%

Vessel Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Vessel Operator
Vessel Operator vs Terminal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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