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Athletics and Team Sports Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Athletics and Team Sports Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For people who want to stay involved in sports professionally, whether on the field or in team operations. Use the tools below to see which athletics and team sports roles fit your background and goals.

Careers here split between coaching/instruction roles and the sports-business side (operations, management, scouting). Use the tools below to explore Athletics and Team Sports-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Assistant Coach, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Head Coach or Sports Operations Manager. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as Coaching certification (e.g., NFHS or sport-specific), that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Athletics and Team Sports careers/jobs, (2) Find Athletics and Team Sports job listings, (3) Prepare for Athletics and Team Sports careers, and (4) Provide Athletics and Team Sports career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Athletics and Team Sports careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Athletics and Team Sports Careers - 2025 to 2035 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Athletics and Team Sports careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Athletics and Team Sports, so relevant Athletics and Team Sports jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Athletics and Team Sports Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Athletics and Team Sports Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Athletics and Team Sports careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 90 Athletics and Team Sports Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

20 Athletics and Team Sports careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2025 to 2035 est.). Athletics and Team Sports-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035 (% change) Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs

Athletic Trainers 12.7% Certified Athletic Trainer; Clinical Athletic Instructor; Clinical Athletic Trainer; Licensed Athletic Trainer; On-Site Industrial Athletic Trainer; Outreach Athletic Trainer; Resident Athletic Trainer; Sports Athletic Trainer
Occupation: Athletic Trainers U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 12.7% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Certified Athletic Trainer; Clinical Athletic Instructor; Clinical Athletic Trainer; Licensed Athletic Trainer; On-Site Industrial Athletic Trainer; Outreach Athletic Trainer; Resident Athletic Trainer; Sports Athletic Trainer
Community Health Workers 12.7% Wellness Coach
Occupation: Community Health Workers U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 12.7% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Wellness Coach
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors 7.3% Fitness Coach; Group Fitness Instructor; Group Fitness Trainer; Personal Coach; Personal Fitness Trainer; Physical Fitness Teacher; Physical Fitness Trainer; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Strength Coach; Water Aerobics Instructor; Wellness Coach
Occupation: Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 7.3% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Fitness Coach; Group Fitness Instructor; Group Fitness Trainer; Personal Coach; Personal Fitness Trainer; Physical Fitness Teacher; Physical Fitness Trainer; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Strength Coach; Water Aerobics Instructor; Wellness Coach
Coaches and Scouts 6.1% Athletic Coach; Baseball Coach; Basketball Coach; Boxing Coach; Boys Basketball Coach; Cheerleading Coach; College Basketball Coach; College Coach; College Football Coach; Cross Country Coach; Field Hockey Coach; Fitness Coach; Football Coach; Golf Coach; Gymnastics Coach; High School Coach; High School Football Coach; Ice Skating Coach; Lacrosse Coach; Middle School Coach; Professional Athletes Coach; Riding Coach; Ski Coach; Soccer Coach; Softball Coach; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Swim Coach; Tennis Coach; Track and Field Coach; Track Coach; Volleyball Coach; Wellness Coach; Wrestling Coach; Youth Soccer Coach
Occupation: Coaches and Scouts U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 6.1% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Athletic Coach; Baseball Coach; Basketball Coach; Boxing Coach; Boys Basketball Coach; Cheerleading Coach; College Basketball Coach; College Coach; College Football Coach; Cross Country Coach; Field Hockey Coach; Fitness Coach; Football Coach; Golf Coach; Gymnastics Coach; High School Coach; High School Football Coach; Ice Skating Coach; Lacrosse Coach; Middle School Coach; Professional Athletes Coach; Riding Coach; Ski Coach; Soccer Coach; Softball Coach; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Swim Coach; Tennis Coach; Track and Field Coach; Track Coach; Volleyball Coach; Wellness Coach; Wrestling Coach; Youth Soccer Coach
Health Education Specialists 5.6% Fitness Coach; Health Coach
Occupation: Health Education Specialists U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 5.6% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Fitness Coach; Health Coach
Athletes and Sports Competitors 5.5% College Athlete; Competitive Athlete; MMA Fighter (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter); Professional Athlete; Professional Baseball Player; Professional Basketball Player; Professional Billiards Player; Professional Football Player; Professional Golf Tournament Player; Professional Hockey Player; Professional Soccer Player; Professional Softball Player; Professional Swimmer; Professional Tennis Player; Professional Volleyball Player
Occupation: Athletes and Sports Competitors U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 5.5% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: College Athlete; Competitive Athlete; MMA Fighter (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter); Professional Athlete; Professional Baseball Player; Professional Basketball Player; Professional Billiards Player; Professional Football Player; Professional Golf Tournament Player; Professional Hockey Player; Professional Soccer Player; Professional Softball Player; Professional Swimmer; Professional Tennis Player; Professional Volleyball Player
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials 5.2% Baseball Coach
Occupation: Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 5.2% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Baseball Coach
Self-Enrichment Teachers 3.5% Voice Coach
Occupation: Self-Enrichment Teachers U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 3.5% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Voice Coach
Credit Counselors 3.3% Certified Financial Coach; Financial Coach
Occupation: Credit Counselors U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 3.3% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Certified Financial Coach; Financial Coach
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors 2.9% Career Coach; Job Coach; Life Skills Coach
Occupation: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 2.9% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Career Coach; Job Coach; Life Skills Coach
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 2.2% Health Fitness Professional; Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 2.2% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Health Fitness Professional; Physical Fitness Teacher
Rehabilitation Counselors 2.2% Job Coach; Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coach
Occupation: Rehabilitation Counselors U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 2.2% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Job Coach; Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coach
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers 1.6% Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
Occupation: Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 1.6% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
Instructional Coordinators 1.6% School Standards Coach
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 1.6% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: School Standards Coach
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education -0.2% High School Coach; Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -0.2% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: High School Coach; Physical Fitness Teacher
Tutors -0.2% Academic Coach
Occupation: Tutors U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -0.2% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Academic Coach
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education -0.3% Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -0.3% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education -0.4% Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -0.4% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education -0.4% Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -0.4% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors -13.9% Literacy Coach
Occupation: Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -13.9% Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Literacy Coach

23 Athletics and Team Sports careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Athletics and Team Sports-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs

Sustainability Specialists $ 83,050 Sustainability Coach
Occupation: Sustainability Specialists National Median Salary: $ 83,050 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Sustainability Coach
Instructional Coordinators $ 77,440 School Standards Coach
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators National Median Salary: $ 77,440 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: School Standards Coach
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary $ 77,270 Health Fitness Professional; Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary National Median Salary: $ 77,270 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Health Fitness Professional; Physical Fitness Teacher
Adapted Physical Education Specialists $ 76,580 Adapted Fitness Professional
Occupation: Adapted Physical Education Specialists National Median Salary: $ 76,580 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Adapted Fitness Professional
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $ 72,040 High School Coach; Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education National Median Salary: $ 72,040 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: High School Coach; Physical Fitness Teacher
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators $ 69,770 Corporate Fitness Program Coordinator; Employee Fitness Coordinator; Group Fitness Coordinator; Group Fitness Manager (GFM); Health and Wellness Coach; Sports, Fitness, and Wellness Director; Wellness and Coaching Manager; Wellness Coach
Occupation: Fitness and Wellness Coordinators National Median Salary: $ 69,770 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Corporate Fitness Program Coordinator; Employee Fitness Coordinator; Group Fitness Coordinator; Group Fitness Manager (GFM); Health and Wellness Coach; Sports, Fitness, and Wellness Director; Wellness and Coaching Manager; Wellness Coach
Athletes and Sports Competitors $ 66,710 College Athlete; Competitive Athlete; MMA Fighter (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter); Professional Athlete; Professional Baseball Player; Professional Basketball Player; Professional Billiards Player; Professional Football Player; Professional Golf Tournament Player; Professional Hockey Player; Professional Soccer Player; Professional Softball Player; Professional Swimmer; Professional Tennis Player; Professional Volleyball Player
Occupation: Athletes and Sports Competitors National Median Salary: $ 66,710 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: College Athlete; Competitive Athlete; MMA Fighter (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter); Professional Athlete; Professional Baseball Player; Professional Basketball Player; Professional Billiards Player; Professional Football Player; Professional Golf Tournament Player; Professional Hockey Player; Professional Soccer Player; Professional Softball Player; Professional Swimmer; Professional Tennis Player; Professional Volleyball Player
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $ 64,370 Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education National Median Salary: $ 64,370 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $ 64,330 Career Coach; Job Coach; Life Skills Coach
Occupation: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors National Median Salary: $ 64,330 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Career Coach; Job Coach; Life Skills Coach
Health Education Specialists $ 64,070 Fitness Coach; Health Coach
Occupation: Health Education Specialists National Median Salary: $ 64,070 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Fitness Coach; Health Coach
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $ 63,970 Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education National Median Salary: $ 63,970 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education $ 62,680 Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education National Median Salary: $ 62,680 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Athletic Trainers $ 62,520 Certified Athletic Trainer; Clinical Athletic Instructor; Clinical Athletic Trainer; Licensed Athletic Trainer; On-Site Industrial Athletic Trainer; Outreach Athletic Trainer; Resident Athletic Trainer; Sports Athletic Trainer
Occupation: Athletic Trainers National Median Salary: $ 62,520 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Certified Athletic Trainer; Clinical Athletic Instructor; Clinical Athletic Trainer; Licensed Athletic Trainer; On-Site Industrial Athletic Trainer; Outreach Athletic Trainer; Resident Athletic Trainer; Sports Athletic Trainer
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors $ 61,540 Literacy Coach
Occupation: Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors National Median Salary: $ 61,540 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Literacy Coach
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers $ 57,020 Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
Occupation: Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers National Median Salary: $ 57,020 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
Credit Counselors $ 52,230 Certified Financial Coach; Financial Coach
Occupation: Credit Counselors National Median Salary: $ 52,230 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Certified Financial Coach; Financial Coach
Community Health Workers $ 51,850 Wellness Coach
Occupation: Community Health Workers National Median Salary: $ 51,850 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Wellness Coach
Coaches and Scouts $ 47,320 Athletic Coach; Baseball Coach; Basketball Coach; Boxing Coach; Boys Basketball Coach; Cheerleading Coach; College Basketball Coach; College Coach; College Football Coach; Cross Country Coach; Field Hockey Coach; Fitness Coach; Football Coach; Golf Coach; Gymnastics Coach; High School Coach; High School Football Coach; Ice Skating Coach; Lacrosse Coach; Middle School Coach; Professional Athletes Coach; Riding Coach; Ski Coach; Soccer Coach; Softball Coach; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Swim Coach; Tennis Coach; Track and Field Coach; Track Coach; Volleyball Coach; Wellness Coach; Wrestling Coach; Youth Soccer Coach
Occupation: Coaches and Scouts National Median Salary: $ 47,320 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Athletic Coach; Baseball Coach; Basketball Coach; Boxing Coach; Boys Basketball Coach; Cheerleading Coach; College Basketball Coach; College Coach; College Football Coach; Cross Country Coach; Field Hockey Coach; Fitness Coach; Football Coach; Golf Coach; Gymnastics Coach; High School Coach; High School Football Coach; Ice Skating Coach; Lacrosse Coach; Middle School Coach; Professional Athletes Coach; Riding Coach; Ski Coach; Soccer Coach; Softball Coach; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Swim Coach; Tennis Coach; Track and Field Coach; Track Coach; Volleyball Coach; Wellness Coach; Wrestling Coach; Youth Soccer Coach
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $ 47,160 Fitness Coach; Group Fitness Instructor; Group Fitness Trainer; Personal Coach; Personal Fitness Trainer; Physical Fitness Teacher; Physical Fitness Trainer; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Strength Coach; Water Aerobics Instructor; Wellness Coach
Occupation: Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors National Median Salary: $ 47,160 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Fitness Coach; Group Fitness Instructor; Group Fitness Trainer; Personal Coach; Personal Fitness Trainer; Physical Fitness Teacher; Physical Fitness Trainer; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Strength Coach; Water Aerobics Instructor; Wellness Coach
Rehabilitation Counselors $ 46,850 Job Coach; Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coach
Occupation: Rehabilitation Counselors National Median Salary: $ 46,850 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Job Coach; Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coach
Self-Enrichment Teachers $ 46,800 Voice Coach
Occupation: Self-Enrichment Teachers National Median Salary: $ 46,800 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Voice Coach
Tutors $ 43,350 Academic Coach
Occupation: Tutors National Median Salary: $ 43,350 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Academic Coach
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials $ 40,710 Baseball Coach
Occupation: Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials National Median Salary: $ 40,710 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Baseball Coach

23 Athletics and Team Sports careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Athletics and Team Sports-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs

Athletic Trainers 5 Certified Athletic Trainer; Clinical Athletic Instructor; Clinical Athletic Trainer; Licensed Athletic Trainer; On-Site Industrial Athletic Trainer; Outreach Athletic Trainer; Resident Athletic Trainer; Sports Athletic Trainer
Occupation: Athletic Trainers Education/Preparation: 5 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Certified Athletic Trainer; Clinical Athletic Instructor; Clinical Athletic Trainer; Licensed Athletic Trainer; On-Site Industrial Athletic Trainer; Outreach Athletic Trainer; Resident Athletic Trainer; Sports Athletic Trainer
Rehabilitation Counselors 5 Job Coach; Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coach
Occupation: Rehabilitation Counselors Education/Preparation: 5 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Job Coach; Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coach
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 5 Health Fitness Professional; Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Education/Preparation: 5 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Health Fitness Professional; Physical Fitness Teacher
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors 5 Career Coach; Job Coach; Life Skills Coach
Occupation: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Education/Preparation: 5 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Career Coach; Job Coach; Life Skills Coach
Instructional Coordinators 5 School Standards Coach
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators Education/Preparation: 5 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: School Standards Coach
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors 4 Literacy Coach
Occupation: Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Literacy Coach
Sustainability Specialists 4 Sustainability Coach
Occupation: Sustainability Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Sustainability Coach
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 4 High School Coach; Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: High School Coach; Physical Fitness Teacher
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 4 Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 4 Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Health Education Specialists 4 Fitness Coach; Health Coach
Occupation: Health Education Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Fitness Coach; Health Coach
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators 4 Corporate Fitness Program Coordinator; Employee Fitness Coordinator; Group Fitness Coordinator; Group Fitness Manager (GFM); Health and Wellness Coach; Sports, Fitness, and Wellness Director; Wellness and Coaching Manager; Wellness Coach
Occupation: Fitness and Wellness Coordinators Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Corporate Fitness Program Coordinator; Employee Fitness Coordinator; Group Fitness Coordinator; Group Fitness Manager (GFM); Health and Wellness Coach; Sports, Fitness, and Wellness Director; Wellness and Coaching Manager; Wellness Coach
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 4 Physical Fitness Teacher
Occupation: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Physical Fitness Teacher
Credit Counselors 4 Certified Financial Coach; Financial Coach
Occupation: Credit Counselors Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Certified Financial Coach; Financial Coach
Community Health Workers 4 Wellness Coach
Occupation: Community Health Workers Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Wellness Coach
Coaches and Scouts 4 Athletic Coach; Baseball Coach; Basketball Coach; Boxing Coach; Boys Basketball Coach; Cheerleading Coach; College Basketball Coach; College Coach; College Football Coach; Cross Country Coach; Field Hockey Coach; Fitness Coach; Football Coach; Golf Coach; Gymnastics Coach; High School Coach; High School Football Coach; Ice Skating Coach; Lacrosse Coach; Middle School Coach; Professional Athletes Coach; Riding Coach; Ski Coach; Soccer Coach; Softball Coach; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Swim Coach; Tennis Coach; Track and Field Coach; Track Coach; Volleyball Coach; Wellness Coach; Wrestling Coach; Youth Soccer Coach
Occupation: Coaches and Scouts Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Athletic Coach; Baseball Coach; Basketball Coach; Boxing Coach; Boys Basketball Coach; Cheerleading Coach; College Basketball Coach; College Coach; College Football Coach; Cross Country Coach; Field Hockey Coach; Fitness Coach; Football Coach; Golf Coach; Gymnastics Coach; High School Coach; High School Football Coach; Ice Skating Coach; Lacrosse Coach; Middle School Coach; Professional Athletes Coach; Riding Coach; Ski Coach; Soccer Coach; Softball Coach; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Swim Coach; Tennis Coach; Track and Field Coach; Track Coach; Volleyball Coach; Wellness Coach; Wrestling Coach; Youth Soccer Coach
Adapted Physical Education Specialists 4 Adapted Fitness Professional
Occupation: Adapted Physical Education Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Adapted Fitness Professional
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors 3 Fitness Coach; Group Fitness Instructor; Group Fitness Trainer; Personal Coach; Personal Fitness Trainer; Physical Fitness Teacher; Physical Fitness Trainer; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Strength Coach; Water Aerobics Instructor; Wellness Coach
Occupation: Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Education/Preparation: 3 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Fitness Coach; Group Fitness Instructor; Group Fitness Trainer; Personal Coach; Personal Fitness Trainer; Physical Fitness Teacher; Physical Fitness Trainer; Strength and Conditioning Coach; Strength Coach; Water Aerobics Instructor; Wellness Coach
Self-Enrichment Teachers 3 Voice Coach
Occupation: Self-Enrichment Teachers Education/Preparation: 3 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Voice Coach
Tutors 3 Academic Coach
Occupation: Tutors Education/Preparation: 3 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Academic Coach
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers 2 Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
Occupation: Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Education/Preparation: 2 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
Athletes and Sports Competitors 2 College Athlete; Competitive Athlete; MMA Fighter (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter); Professional Athlete; Professional Baseball Player; Professional Basketball Player; Professional Billiards Player; Professional Football Player; Professional Golf Tournament Player; Professional Hockey Player; Professional Soccer Player; Professional Softball Player; Professional Swimmer; Professional Tennis Player; Professional Volleyball Player
Occupation: Athletes and Sports Competitors Education/Preparation: 2 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: College Athlete; Competitive Athlete; MMA Fighter (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter); Professional Athlete; Professional Baseball Player; Professional Basketball Player; Professional Billiards Player; Professional Football Player; Professional Golf Tournament Player; Professional Hockey Player; Professional Soccer Player; Professional Softball Player; Professional Swimmer; Professional Tennis Player; Professional Volleyball Player
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials 2 Baseball Coach
Occupation: Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Education/Preparation: 2 Athletics and Team Sports-Related Jobs: Baseball Coach

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 90 specific Athletics and Team Sports job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Academic Coach
Adapted Fitness Professional
Athletic Coach
Baseball Coach
Basic Combatant Swimmer
Basketball Coach
Boxing Coach
Boys Basketball Coach
Career Coach
Certified Athletic Trainer
Certified Financial Coach
Cheerleading Coach
Clinical Athletic Instructor
Clinical Athletic Trainer
College Athlete
College Basketball Coach
College Coach
College Football Coach
Combatant Swimmer (SEAL)
Competitive Athlete
Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
Corporate Fitness Program Coordinator
Cross Country Coach
Employee Fitness Coordinator
Field Hockey Coach
Financial Coach
Fitness Coach
Football Coach
Golf Coach
Group Fitness Coordinator
Group Fitness Instructor
Group Fitness Manager (GFM)
Group Fitness Trainer
Gymnastics Coach
Health and Wellness Coach
Health Coach
Health Fitness Professional
Helicopter Search and Rescue Aircrew Swimmer
High School Coach
High School Football Coach
Ice Skating Coach
Job Coach
Lacrosse Coach
Licensed Athletic Trainer
Life Skills Coach
Literacy Coach
Middle School Coach
MMA Fighter (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter)
On-Site Industrial Athletic Trainer
Outreach Athletic Trainer
Personal Coach
Personal Fitness Trainer
Physical Fitness Teacher
Physical Fitness Trainer
Professional Athlete
Professional Athletes Coach
Professional Baseball Player
Professional Basketball Player
Professional Billiards Player
Professional Football Player
Professional Golf Tournament Player
Professional Hockey Player
Professional Soccer Player
Professional Softball Player
Professional Swimmer
Professional Tennis Player
Professional Volleyball Player
Resident Athletic Trainer
Riding Coach
School Standards Coach
Ski Coach
Soccer Coach
Softball Coach
Sports Athletic Trainer
Sports, Fitness, and Wellness Director
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Strength Coach
Sustainability Coach
Swim Coach
Tennis Coach
Track and Field Coach
Track Coach
Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coach
Voice Coach
Volleyball Coach
Water Aerobics Instructor
Wellness and Coaching Manager
Wellness Coach
Wrestling Coach
Youth Soccer Coach


Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels.


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Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

Description: Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.

U.S. Total Employment (2025):
41,300
U.S. Total Employment (2035 est.):
42,900
Employment Change (2025-2035 est.):
1,700 (4%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2025-2035 est.):
3,800
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
Importance: 99 (%) Description: Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers.
Importance: 99 (%) Description: Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures through instruction, simulators, or models.
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Maintain records of daily activities, personnel reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Direct or coordinate crew members or workers performing activities such as loading or unloading cargo, steering vessels, operating engines, or operating, maintaining, or repairing ship equipment.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Purchase supplies or equipment.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Assign watches or living quarters to crew members.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Perform various marine duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports or harbors or patrolling beaches.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations.
Importance: 30 (%) Description: Interview and hire crew members.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Acquire supplies or equipment.
Arrange maintenance activities.
Assist others during emergencies.
Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
Communicate with others to coordinate material handling or movement.
Determine geographic coordinates.
Direct maintenance or repair activities.
Direct material handling or moving activities.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
Maintain watercraft engines or machinery.
Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
Monitor work environment to ensure safety or adherence to specifications.
Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
Operate communications equipment or systems.
Operate ships or other watercraft.
Provide safety training.
Read maps to determine routes.
Recommend personnel decisions or human resources activities.
Record operational details of travel.
Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Management of Personnel Resources: Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Advise others on business or operational matters.
Activity: Analyze environmental or geospatial data.
Activity: Communicate with others about operational plans or activities.
Activity: Determine operational methods or procedures.
Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures.
Activity: Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Activity: Intervene in crisis situations or emergencies.
Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.
Activity: Maintain operational records.
Activity: Maintain vehicles in working condition.
Activity: Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment.
Activity: Monitor equipment operation.
Activity: Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties.
Activity: Notify others of emergencies or problems.
Activity: Operate communications equipment or systems.
Activity: Operate transportation equipment or vehicles.
Activity: Purchase goods or services.
Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes.
Activity: Schedule operational activities.
Activity: Signal others to coordinate work activities.
Activity: Teach safety procedures or standards to others.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Emerging Tech Skills
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk Revit
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Operating system software:
Apple macOS
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Analytical or scientific software:
Groundwater modeling system GMS
Calendar and scheduling software:
Microsoft Office Outlook
Data base user interface and query software:
KNMI TurboWin
Log book software
Facilities management software:
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software:
SHIPNEXT
Route navigation software (scroll table below):
FURUNO navigational chart software
Jeppesen Marine Nobeltec Admiral
JRC navigation software
Maptech The CAPN
Navigational chart software
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 42.0 (%) Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 36.6 (%) Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate
Frequency of Attainment: 8.4 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 5.5 (%) Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 4.5 (%) Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Frequency of Attainment: 2.2 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Frequency of Attainment: 0.5 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 0.4 (%) Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 39.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 20.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 14.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 10.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 7.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 3.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 2.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 1.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month
Frequency of Attainment: 1.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 0.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
Coastal Navigation Certification External Link
Master Inland/Mate Near Coastal External Link
Master Near Coastal External Link
Master of 100 GRT-Limited External Link
Master of Towing Vessels-Limited External Link
National 2nd Mate Unlimited OC or NC External Link
National 3rd Mate Unlimited OC or NC External Link
National Able Seaman (A/B) External Link
National Apprentice Mate (Steersman) OC, NC, GL-IN, WR External Link
National Ballast Control Operator (BCO) External Link
National Barge Supervisor External Link
National Chief Mate Unlimited OC or NC External Link
National First Class Pilot External Link
National Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited External Link
National Limited Master 100/Limited OUPV External Link
National Master 100 NC External Link
National Master 200 GL and Inland External Link
National Master 200 NC External Link
National Master 500/1600 GL and Inland External Link
National Master 500/1600 OC or NC External Link
National Master of Towing OC, NC, GL-IN, WR External Link
National Master of Unlimited GL and Inland External Link
National Master Unlimited OC or NC External Link
National Mate 200 GL and Inland External Link
National Mate 200 NC External Link
National Mate 200 OC External Link
National Mate 500/1600 GL and Inland External Link
National Mate 500/1600 NC External Link
National Mate 500/1600 OC External Link
National Mate OSV External Link
National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland External Link
National Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel Less Than 100 GRT External Link
National OUPV Less Than 100 GRT External Link
National Qualified Member of the Engineering Department External Link
Professional Port Manager External Link
STCW - GMDSS At-Sea Maintainer External Link
STCW - Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties/ Security Awareness External Link
STCW - Vessel Security Officer (VSO) External Link
STCW II/2 - Chief Mate 500 GT or More and Less Than 3000 GT Management Level External Link
STCW II/2 - Master 500 GT or More and Less Than 3000 GT Management Level External Link
STCW II/2 - Master Less Than 500 GT OC Management Level External Link
STCW II/3 - Master Less Than 500 GT Limited NC Management Level External Link
STCW II/3 - OICNW Less Than 500 GT OC or Operational Level External Link
STCW III/1 - OICEW (OSV) External Link
STCW III/1 - OICEW or DDE 750 kW/1000 HP or More External Link
Tankerman Certification External Link
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
Coastwise Merchant Seamen's Association (CMSA) External Link
National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO) External Link
Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) External Link
Seafarers International Union (SIU) External Link
Job Listings
Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings
Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)
Able Bodied Tankerman (AB Tankerman)
Area Relief Pilot
Bar Pilot
Barge Captain
Barge Master
Barge Mate
Barge Pilot
Boat Captain
Boat Master
Boat Mate
Boat Operator
Boat Pilot
Boatswain
Boatswain's Mate
Canal Boat Captain
Canal Boat Operator
Canal Driver
Captain
Car Ferry Captain
Car Ferry Master
Charter Boat Captain
Coastal Tug Mate
Command Pilot
Deck Officer
Deep Submergence Vehicle Operator (DSV Operator)
Derrick Boat Captain
Dock Master
Docking Pilot
Dredge Captain
Dredge Mate
Ferry Boat Captain
Ferry Captain
Ferry Pilot
Ferryboat Captain
Ferryboat Operator
Ferryboat Pilot
First Mate
First Officer
Fishing Vessel Captain
Fishing Vessel Mate
Fourth Mate
Fourth Officer
Harbor Boat Pilot
Harbor Pilot
Harbor Tug Captain
Lighter Captain
Line Pilot
Marine Pilot
Marine Superintendent
Maritime Officer
Maritime Pilot
Master Mariner
Master Pilot
Mate
Navigation Officer
Navigation Watch Officer
Navigator
Officer
Oil Tanker Captain
Passenger Barge Master
Pilot
Pilot Captain
Port Captain
Relief Captain
Relief Docking Master
Relief Master
Relief Mate
Relief Pilot
River Boat Captain
River Captain
River Pilot
Riverboat Master
Sailboat Captain
Sailing Master
Sailing Officer
School Boat Driver
Scow Captain
Sea Captain
Second Mate
Second Officer
Ship Captain
Ship Harbor Pilot
Ship Master
Ship Mate
Ship Pilot
Shipmaster
Shrimp Boat Captain
Skipper
Sloop Captain
Speedboat Driver
State Pilot
Station Captain
Steamboat Captain
Steamboat Pilot
Tankerman
Third Mate
Third Officer
Towboat Captain
Towboat Pilot
Towing Pilot
Training Captain
Tug Captain
Tugboat Captain
Tugboat Mate
Tugboat Operator
Tugboat Pilot
Vessel Captain
Vessel Master
Water Vessel Captain
Yacht Captain
Yacht Master
Related Careers to Consider
Related Careers to Consider
This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Sailors and Marine Oilers
2 - Motorboat Operators
3 - Ship Engineers
4 - Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
5 - Commercial Pilots
6 - Transportation Inspectors
7 - Bridge and Lock Tenders
8 - Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
9 - Locomotive Engineers
10 - Dredge Operators
11 - Fishing and Hunting Workers
12 - Riggers
13 - Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
14 - Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
15 - Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
16 - Commercial Divers
17 - Hoist and Winch Operators
18 - Airfield Operations Specialists
19 - Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
20 - Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels" occupation.






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