Also called: SWO, Ship Driver
Leads crews and drives warships like destroyers and aircraft carriers.
SWOs stand watches on the bridge or in combat information centers, lead divisions of sailors, and work toward commanding their own ship someday.
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: Engineering, Political Science, any major.
Growing about average. Military hiring follows recruiting goals rather than BLS projections.
Low risk for 10 years. Drone ships join the fleet, but leading sailors and driving warships stay human; AI mostly aids combat systems.
Classes: AP Government, Physics, Leadership role on a team.
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.