Also called: Water Taxi Operator, Harbor Shuttle Captain
Drives small passenger boats that shuttle people across harbors, rivers, and between islands.
A water taxi captain runs a regular route in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, or San Antonio, docks at many stops, and chats with riders.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. Coast Guard captain's license (OUPV or Master).
Ways in: Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Marine Transportation, Maritime Studies.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 53-5022: Faster than average (5% to 6%).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Small autonomous ferries are being tested in Europe; most water taxis will still need licensed captains for years.
Classes: Physics, Earth science, Speech.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-5022.
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