USA Career Guide- Water Transportation Occupations
Education & Training for Water Transportation Occupations
Most deck officers, engineers, and pilots have a bachelor’s degree from a merchant marine academy. The programs offer a bachelor’s degree and a Merchant Marine Credential (MMC) with an endorsement as a third mate or third assistant engineer. Graduates of these programs can also choose to receive a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Merchant Marine Reserve, or U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
Non-officers, such as sailors or marine oilers, usually do not have to have a degree.
Training
Ordinary seamen, wipers, and other entry-level mariners get on-the-job training for several months to a year. Length of training depends on the size and type of ship and waterway they work on.
All mariners working on ships with U.S. flags must have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Pay for Water Transportation Occupations
The median annual wage of water transportation occupations was $46,610 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,890, and the top 10 percent earned more than $99,690.
Median annual wages for water transportation occupations in May 2010 were as follows:
$65,880 for ship engineers
$64,180 for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
$38,510 for motorboat operators
$36,260 for of sailors and marine oilers
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition
Job Prospects of Water Transportation Occupations
Overall employment of water transportation occupations is projected to grow 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.
Employment of captains, mates, and pilots is projected to grow 20 percent. Employment of ship engineers is projected to grow 18 percent. Employment of sailors and marine oilers is projected to grow 21 percent.
Employment of motorboat operators is projected to grow 15 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for these workers will be driven by growth in tourism and recreational activities, where they are primarily employed.
Job prospects should be favorable for most water transportation occupations. Many workers leave these occupations, especially sailors and marine oilers, because recently hired workers often decide they do not enjoy spending a lot of time away at sea. Jobs aboard ocean-going vessels have high pay but competition for them remains keen, and merchant mariners might have to wait months between work opportunities.
In addition, a number of officers and engineers are approaching retirement, creating job openings. The number of applicants for all types of jobs may be limited by high regulatory and security requirements.
Industrial Overview of Water Transportation Occupations
Workers in water transportation occupations held about 82,600 jobs in 2010.
Most water transportation workers are employed in the following industries:
Inland water transportation 21%
Support activities for water transportation 21%
Deep sea, coastal, and great lakes water transportation 20%
Government 10%
Scenic and sightseeing transportation, water 7%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition
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