Motorboat operators salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Mean (average) | $56,270 | $27.05 |
| 90th percentile | $84,530 | $40.64 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Motorboat operators pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 14 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $34,570 | $34,320 | $92,490 | 190 | 0.66 |
| Connecticut | $45,970 | $35,020 | $49,620 | ||
| Florida | $46,620 | $33,370 | $77,330 | 170 | 1.09 |
| Hawaii | $76,250 | $60,000 | $84,410 | 330 | 32.64 |
| Illinois | $68,380 | $45,640 | $94,140 | 40 | 0.38 |
| Louisiana | $45,800 | $30,890 | $80,590 | 160 | 5.25 |
| Massachusetts | $45,160 | $40,070 | $86,310 | ||
| Michigan | $46,760 | $36,190 | $63,400 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,150 | $37,130 | $104,110 | 40 | 0.64 |
| New York | $62,000 | $50,840 | $80,660 | ||
| Puerto Rico | $26,630 | $21,840 | $55,620 | 150 | 9.98 |
| Tennessee | $42,360 | $29,590 | $58,520 | 60 | 1.2 |
| Texas | $50,270 | $42,910 | $71,760 | 270 | 1.19 |
| Washington | $63,650 | $42,760 | $86,740 | 80 | 1.38 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for motorboat operators
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 300. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 7.5%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for motorboat operators
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer CIP 49.0309
- Marine Transportation, Other CIP 49.0399
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
- Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
- Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
- Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
- Organize and direct the activities of crew members.
- Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
- Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
- Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.
Technology skills
- Autopilot software
- Cartography software
- Echo sounder software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Radar software
- Roam Devices Roam Marine Monitor Hub
- SEA.AI Offshore ONE
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.
Common job titles: Boat Operator, Crew Boat Operator, Harbor Pilot, Launch Operator, Launchman, Motorboat Operator, River Pilot, Shoreboat Driver, Water Taxi Business Operator, Water Taxi Operator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do motorboat operators make?
The national median annual wage for motorboat operators was $47,520 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $34,510 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $84,530. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do motorboat operators need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with less than 5 years of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is motorboat operators a growing career?
BLS projects employment of motorboat operators to change +4.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 300 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay motorboat operators the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Hawaii ($76,250), Illinois ($68,380), Washington ($63,650). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.