areer and Economic Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for captains, mates and pilots of water vessels are projected to grow by 10% from 2014-2024. This job growth projection is based in part on the expected increase in freight shipping and the increase in tourism via cruise ships, however most oceangoing cruise ships are headed to international destinations and tend not to employ U.S. workers. Most job opportunities can be found in coastal areas or those near freshwater ports and docks. According to the BLS, the median salary for captains, mates and pilots was $76,780 as of May 2015.