Also called: Remotely Operated Vehicle Pilot
Flies remotely operated underwater robots from a control room on a ship.
Sitting in a dark control van with a wall of screens and joysticks, the ROV pilot drives a robot along the seafloor, using arms to turn valves, grab samples, or inspect pipelines. Off shift, they repair hydraulics and electronics. Rotations are often 4-5 weeks offshore.
Estimated from industry data; offshore pay includes day rates.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree or certificate in electronics, hydraulics, or marine technology; Navy electronics backgrounds are common. Short ROV training courses exist.
Ways in: 2-year college, Trade school, Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Electronics Technology, Marine Technology, Mechatronics.
Growing faster than average. Steady demand from offshore energy, wind, cables, and defense.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Resident and semi-autonomous ROVs reduce pilot hours per job; complex tasks and repairs still need skilled pilots.
Classes: Electronics CTE class, Physics, Video games and drone flying (seriously).
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.