Also called: Ship Pilot, Bar Pilot, Maritime Pilot
Climbs aboard huge incoming ships and personally steers them through dangerous harbor channels.
A pilot boat races out to a giant container ship at sea, and the pilot climbs a rope ladder up its moving side, sometimes in heavy swells at night. On the bridge they take over from the captain, using deep local knowledge of currents, shoals, and bridges to guide the ship to its berth. It is one of the highest-paid jobs in America that most people have never heard of.
Pilots are paid through regulated pilotage fees; many state pilot associations average $300k-$600k+. Openings are rare and very competitive.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 10 years after high school. Usually a maritime academy degree (Kings Point, Cal Maritime, Maine Maritime, Mass Maritime, SUNY, Texas A&M Maritime) and years as a ship officer or tug captain, then a highly competitive state pilot apprenticeship of 2-7 years.
Ways in: 4-year college, Apprenticeship, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Transportation, Nautical Science.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). Very few openings; many pilots are licensed through state commissions.
Low risk for 10 years. Portable pilot units and simulators sharpen planning; regulators still require a local human pilot on the bridge in tight channels.
Classes: Physics, Trigonometry, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-5021.
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