Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Motorboat Operators
Motorboat Operators operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
Table of contents
What they do
Motorboat Operators operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
- Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
- Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
- Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
- Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Motorboat Operators take depth soundings in turning basins. They oversee the operation of vessels used for carrying passengers, motor vehicles, or goods across rivers, harbors, lakes, and coastal waters.
- Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.
- Organize and direct the activities of crew members.
- Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
- Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
- Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Motorboat Operators also arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels. They may also service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Motorboat Operators perform general labor duties such as repairing booms. They might also direct safety operations in emergency situations.
In addition, they tow, push, or guide other boats, barges, logs, or rafts.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them organize and direct the activities of crew members.
To some Motorboat Operators, it is also their responsibility to maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they found their job meaningful.
I have spent a few summers working as a motorboat operator, and it was one of my favorite job experiences.
Driving a motorboat is a lot of fun, and getting paid to do it is even better. If you have a love of the water or a need for speed, it’s a solid potential career to explore. I didn’t pursue it as a year-round job but know a few old-timers who have and they are extremely happy.
A typical day at work starts pretty early. The water is flatter/calmer in the morning, which is ideal for waterskiing, wakeboarding, or any other behind the boat activity.
Before taking on any customers, I get the boat gassed up and make sure everything is in good working order for the day.
After that, it’s mostly driving around, entertaining customers, and making sure everyone is safe and enjoying the ride.
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Pros
For me, just being out on the water and enjoying the open air and freedom that comes with it was a huge pro. I love being outside in nature and an early morning on the water is pretty hard to top.
Also, getting to meet people from all over the world who came on board for tours and trips was a blast. I got to talk to so many interesting people and made a few friends and contacts from that time that I still stay in touch with.
Cons
Cons would be that the pay isn’t always great and the days when someone gets injured – even though that doesn’t happen very often.
Another con would be that because I worked more in a seasonal capacity, the job never had the potential to develop into a full-time career. I enjoyed my summers immensely but since it was a very tourist-dependent sort of situation, it wasn’t steady.
Overall, I think it’s an amazing job and would recommend it to anyone who is even slightly interested.
Advice to aspiring Boat Operators
For your student readers, I would recommend getting out on the water and being on a boat as much as possible. I really don’t think there is an in-school substitute for hands-on experience. The more time you spend driving/operating a boat and learning about the mechanical and safety aspects involved, the better off you’ll be.
Also, if you want to have your own boat rather than work for a guide service or tour company, you’re looking at a substantial initial investment. Depending on the size of a boat, it can be like taking out a small mortgage!
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Salary is below average.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Motorboat Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $27,820 to $37,700 per year or $13 to $18 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $77,630 | $37 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $66,020 | $32 |
| Median | $55,910 | $27 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $37,700 | $18 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $27,820 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Motorboat Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $65400 | $31.44 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | $62290 | $29.95 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $56820 | $27.32 |
| Inland Water Transportation | $48800 | $23.46 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $48570 | $23.35 |
| Local Government | $48440 | $23.29 |
| Amusement Parks and Arcades | $45250 | $21.76 |
| Other Motor Vehicle Dealers | $44300 | $21.30 |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water | $43240 | $20.79 |
| Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | $39530 | $19.01 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Motorboat Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Motorboat Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | 220 | $65400 | $31.44 |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water | 190 | $43240 | $20.79 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | 180 | $48570 | $23.35 |
| Inland Water Transportation | 120 | $48800 | $23.46 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 100 | $56820 | $27.32 |
| Local Government | 60 | $48440 | $23.29 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | 50 | $36600 | $17.60 |
| Amusement Parks and Arcades | 40 | $45250 | $21.76 |
| Other Motor Vehicle Dealers | $44300 | $21.30 | |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | $62290 | $29.95 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
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Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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