Also called: Cutter Commanding Officer, Deck Watch Officer
Leads Coast Guard crews doing rescues, drug interdiction, and port security.
A junior officer might stand bridge watches on a cutter chasing drug smugglers in the Caribbean, then later command a ship or run a sector's search-and-rescue operations. Missions include icebreaking, fisheries enforcement, and disaster response.
Figures approximate total military compensation (base pay plus tax-free housing and food allowances) from new to senior ranks; benefits include free healthcare, college money (GI Bill), and pensions after 20 years.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's degree via the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT), U.S. Naval Academy, NROTC, a maritime academy like Kings Point, or Officer Candidate School.
Ways in: 4-year college, Military. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Marine Science, Engineering, Government, Operations Research.
Growing about average. Military hiring follows recruiting goals rather than BLS projections.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps target smugglers and plan patrols; commanding cutters and making rescue calls stay human leadership.
Classes: AP Government, Physics, Physical education and swimming.
Official data: O*NET occupation 55-1019.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.