Motorboat Operators

What motorboat operators do

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.
• Oversee operation of vessels used for carrying passengers, motor vehicles, or goods across rivers, harbors, lakes, and coastal waters.
• Service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.
• Arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels.
• Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.

Motorboat Operators salary

The median annual wage for motorboat operators is $47,520 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $34,510 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $84,530. The mean annual wage is $56,270.

The mean hourly wage of $27.00 is 3.7× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →

Pay by percentile

Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.

How median, percentiles and the pay range are defined →

Projected pay for Motorboat Operators (3, 5 and 10 years)est.

Today $47,520 → in 3 years $52,300 → in 5 years $55,700 → in 10 years $65,300 (10-year range $56,100–$75,800). The model assumes pay growth of +3.2% per year.

What drives the annual growth rate

Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →

Outlook score for Motorboat Operators

Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.

Will AI replace Motorboat Operators? AI replacement risk

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Labor demand for Motorboat Operators

Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

Skills, education and requirements for Motorboat Operators

What the work involves

Important abilities

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

How to become motorboat operators

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Career path and how to earn more as motorboat operators

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

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