Work in shipping is extremely necessary because it helps support and develop the country’s economy and connects it to other nations.
If you’re looking for a career that offers stability, job security, and high pay, then marine transportation may be the perfect industry for you.
In this article, we will take a look at 20 of the best paying jobs in this field. We will discuss the skills and knowledge required for different positions, as well as education requirements.
20 Jobs in the Marine Transportation Industry
Marine surveyor
Average base salary: $84,991 per year
Responsibilities: Maritime inspectors inspect vessels and offshore structures for seaworthiness and compliance with regulatory requirements.
They also prepare reports detailing their findings.
Port Captain
Average base salary: $87,322 per year
They are responsible for the operations of a port or harbor. This can include supervising the loading and unloading of vessels, coordinating maritime traffic, and many more.
Marine Service manager
Average base salary: $96,539 per year
They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of maritime vessels. This can include managing a team of workers, ordering supplies, and troubleshooting issues. Good education and the ability to take responsibility are important to them.
Able Seaman
Average base salary: $67,735 per year
They are responsible for the safety and security of a vessel. This can include lookout duty, firefighting, and other emergency response tasks. Able seamen must be able to take a long time to work and be physically fit.
Boat Pilot
Average base salary: $62,474 per year
They are responsible for navigating a vessel through dangerous or congested waters. This can include piloting large ships into and out of port, as well as to riverboats and other smaller vessels.
Ship Fitter
Average base salary: $48,895 per year
They are responsible for building and repairing ships. This may include welding, fabricating, and installing various components. Their work needs to be able to see details and be meticulous & knowledgeable in various materials and tools.
Commercial Diver
Average base salary: $46,324 per year
They are responsible for performing underwater work tasks. This can include inspecting and repairing vessels, as well as installing and maintaining underwater pipelines.
Ship captain
Average base salary: $96,347 per year
They are responsible for the overall operation of a vessel. This can include navigation, managing the crew, and ensuring the safety of the vessel and its cargo. Ship captains must have a great deal of experience and knowledge to be successful, as well as to be a good leaders.
Vessel operator
Average base salary: $77,096 per year
They are responsible for the day-to-day operation of a vessel. This can include navigation, managing the crew, and ensuring the safety of the vessel and its cargo.
In order to be successful in your duties, you need to have good organizational skills and deep knowledge and experience in your field.
Marine mechanic
Average base salary: $64,666 per year
They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of maritime vessels. This can include engines, electrical systems, and other mechanical systems.
They mostly work by hand, non-automated, so the ability to use the equipment correctly for them plays a major role.
Good education and the ability to take responsibility are important to them, as well as a deep knowledge of mathematics and keen attention to detail.
Ferry Pilot
Average base salary: $54,359 per year
Responsibilities: They are responsible for navigating a vessel in hazardous or congested waters. This may include piloting large vessels in and out of port, as well as to riverboats and other small vessels.
To be successful in this role, you must have good problem-solving, navigation skills, and experience.
Tugboat Captain
Average base salary: $101,500 per year
They are responsible for the overall operation of the tugboat. This may include navigation, crew management, and ensuring the safety of the vessel and its cargo.
To be successful, tug captains must have a great deal of experience and knowledge, as well as the ability to negotiate with people and be a good leader, and the ability to analyze and predict situations.
Ordinary Seaman
Average base salary: $42,000 per year
They are responsible for the safety and security of a vessel. This can include lookout duty, firefighting, and other emergency response tasks.
Stamina, the ability to work hard without interruption, and good physical preparation are key for them.
Deckhand
Average base salary: $44,434 per year
They are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the ship.
This may include mooring, towing, and many other deck operations. They need to be responsible and physically prepared.
Marine underwriter
Average base salary: $80,137 per year
They are responsible for assessing risk in ship insurance, which can include assessing the ship itself, the crew, and the cargo.
They must have good analytical skills and be able to make quick decisions.
Marine Technician
Average base salary: $50,064 per year
They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of maritime vessels. This can include engines, electrical systems, and other mechanical systems. They mostly do not work with their hands but use different instruments, that is, their tasks are mechanized.
Good education and the ability to take responsibility are important to them, as well as a deep knowledge of mathematics and keen attention to detail.
First Mate
Average base salary: $31,452 per year
They are responsible for the overall operation of the ship. This may include navigating, managing the crew, and ensuring the safety of the ship and its cargo.
To be successful, first mates must have a great deal of experience and knowledge, as well as good problem-solving skills and the ability to make quick decisions.
Marine Electronics Technician
Average base salary: $76,412 per year
They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of maritime electronic equipment. This can include radios, sonars, and GPS systems.
They need to have good technical skills and be able to troubleshoot problems quickly.
Cruise Director
Average base salary: $76,700 per year
They are responsible for the overall operation of a cruise ship. This may include passenger entertainment, shore excursions, and crew management.
To be successful, cruise directors must have good people skills and the ability to think on their feet.
Marine Superintendent
Average base salary: $102,697 per year
They are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a maritime vessel. This can include managing the crew, cargo, and maintenance of the vessel.
They need to have good leadership skills and be able to make decisions quickly.
What is Marine Transportation?
Maritime workers are responsible for moving cargo and passengers across the water.
This can include ocean-going vessels, coastal and inland waterways, ferries, and more.
The maritime transportation industry is important because it helps support the overall economy by transporting goods and materials.
It also connects different economies together, which invariably has a positive effect on globalization and the travel of people around the world.
Required Education and Training for Marine Transportation Jobs
Most maritime transportation jobs require at least a high school diploma. Some positions, such as deckhands and marine oilers, do not require any formal education.
However, most other positions will require at least some college courses related to maritime transportation or a similar field. In addition, most workers need to know math and physics for ship design, onboarding, analytics, etc.
Is Marine Transportation a Good Career Path?
There are many reasons why marine transportation is a good career path. It is a stable industry with plenty of job security. In addition, maritime workers tend to be very well-paid, with most positions earning an average salary of over $60,000 per year.
So if you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career, marine transportation may be the perfect fit for you. Just remember to brush up on your math and physics, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in this exciting industry.