Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
SOC Code: 53-5021
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels carries a 53% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $85,540 and +0.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 40,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 53% AI exposure, Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels sits 16 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 90% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels has ai exposure of 53%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (SOC 53-5021) carries an AI exposure score of 53%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 40,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +0.5% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $85,540, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Postsecondary nondegree award, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
- 2. Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
- 3. Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
- 4. Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
- 5. Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
- 6. Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
- 7. Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
- 8. Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
- 9. Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
- 10. Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
Key Skills Required
- Operation and Control
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Geography
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels has an AI exposure score of 53%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is projected to grow by 0.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 40,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?
Key skills for Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels include Operation and Control, Speaking, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels earn?
The median annual wage for Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $85,540, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?
The typical entry-level education for Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is Postsecondary nondegree award. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).