How To Become a Ship Pilot

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How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

Ship Pilots

Ship Pilots command ships to steer them into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, or sounds, or on rivers, lakes, or bays. Must be licensed by U.S. Coast Guard with limitations indicating class and tonnage of vessels for which license is valid and route and waters that may be piloted.

Salary
$89740
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



What degree do you need

Recommended degree level

High School Diploma

We did a survey to ask other Ship Pilots what degree they had when they became a Ship Pilot. Here are the results.
High School Diploma
43.06%


Associate’s Degree
16.61%


a Post-Secondary Certificate
15.39%


One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Ship Pilots or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Ship Pilots what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Commercial Fishing
Marine Science or Merchant Marine Officer

Most ship pilots have a bachelor’s degree from a merchant marine academy. The academy 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.



How hard is it

Difficulty
Not Too Hard

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Ship Pilot. For example, an electrician must complete three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Careers in this difficulty category will usually need 1 or 2 years of on-the-job training and informal training with experienced workers. These careers usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Similar careers include hydroelectric production managers, travel agents, electricians, court reporters, and medical assistants.


Related work experience required
4 to 6 years

4 to 6 years
40.41%


None
16.17%


Over 10 years
15.05%


Job training
2 to 4 years

2 to 4 years
56.93%


4 to 10 years
25.19%


Up to 1 month
9.49%



License and certifications

Do you need any license or certification
Requirements vary by state

All ship pilots working on ships with U.S. flags must have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from the Transportation Security Administration. Most ship pilots must also have a Merchant Marine Credential (MMC). They can apply for an MMC at a U.S. Coast Guard regional examination center. Ship pilots are licensed by the state in which they work. The U.S. Coast Guard licenses pilots on the Great Lakes. The requirements for these licenses vary, depending on where a pilot works.


Skills required

We asked other Ship Pilots if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

1. Operation and Control what does this mean
2. Operation Monitoring what does this mean
3. Critical Thinking what does this mean
4. Monitoring what does this mean
5. Active Listening what does this mean

= Hot in-demand that most employers are looking for


Knowledge required

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Ship Pilots are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

1. Transportation what does this mean
2. Geography what does this mean
3. Public Safety and Security what does this mean
4. Administration and Management what does this mean
5. Mechanical what does this mean


Learn more about Ship Pilots

Summary
Job Description
Salary
Requirements (You are here)
Quiz

Related to Ship Pilots Requirements

Ship Pilots requirements, how to become Ship Pilots, degree required to be a Ship Pilot, Ship Pilots license and certifications, majors to be a Ship Pilot, is it hard to become a Ship Pilot and how long does it take


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