Motorboat operators
Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
Motorboat operators operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities. The role reports a median annual salary of $51,880 in the US and is showing modest growth of 1% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a Postsecondary nondegree award, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.41 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Speaking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £39,358 a year for Marine and waterways transport operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8232). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Motorboat operators, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
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Nautical Science (Merchant Navy) — B.Sc Nautical Science (three years, followed by sea time as a deck cadet)
Entrance exams: IMU CET
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Mechanical
- Geography
- Personnel and Human Resources
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Motorboat operators do?
Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
How much does Motorboat operators earn?
The median annual salary for Motorboat operators in the US is $51,880.
What is the job outlook for Motorboat operators?
The role is showing modest growth of 1% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 2,700 workers.
How do I become motorboat operators?
The typical entry education is a Postsecondary nondegree award. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Motorboat operators need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Motorboat operators?
Our AI-durability model gives Motorboat operators a score of 0.41 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Motorboat operators has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.