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Navy Captain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Culinary Specialist

Fords, NJ

$35K - $47K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Austin, MN

$34K - $45K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Princeton, TX

$30K - $41K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Memphis, MO

$33K - $45K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Martinez, CA

$40K - $54K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Eatonville, FL

$33K - $44K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Dayton, TN

$30K - $40K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

$31K - $42K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Marksville, LA

$30K - $40K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Saxton, PA

$30K - $40K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Kingston, NY

$33K - $44K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Greenwich, OH

$32K - $43K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Warren, AR

$31K - $41K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Ironwood, MI

$37K - $50K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Tappan, NY

$35K - $47K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

La Honda, CA

$47K - $63K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Dothan, AL

$31K - $42K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Harmony, RI

$33K - $45K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Corralitos, CA

$37K - $50K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

Culinary Specialist

Lakeland, TN

$30K - $41K/yr

Enlisted • Both Overview Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services ... watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as ...

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Navy Captain information

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$37

$76

How much do navy captain jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for navy captain in the United States is $37.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $41.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Navy Captains?

A Navy Captain is a senior commissioned officer in the Navy, typically responsible for commanding a large warship, submarine, aviation squadron, or serving in high-level staff positions. The rank of Captain is equivalent to a Colonel in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Navy Captains oversee significant operations, lead large teams, and are accountable for the safety, training, and performance of their command. Achieving this rank requires many years of service, leadership experience, and a strong record of accomplishment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Navy Captain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Navy Captain, you need extensive leadership experience, in-depth naval operations knowledge, and an officer's commission—typically achieved through years of progressive service and advanced military education. Familiarity with navigation systems, command and control platforms, and completion of programs such as the Naval War College are standard requirements. Exceptional decision-making, communication, and team-building skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are crucial for ensuring mission success, crew safety, and effective management of complex naval operations.

What are the main leadership challenges faced by a Navy Captain when commanding a diverse crew on a ship?

A Navy Captain often leads a crew composed of individuals from various backgrounds, experience levels, and specialties. One of the main challenges is fostering effective communication and teamwork across departments while maintaining high morale under demanding conditions. Captains must also make critical decisions under pressure, ensure strict adherence to protocols, and address the professional development of their officers and enlisted personnel. Balancing operational readiness with crew welfare requires strong leadership, adaptability, and interpersonal skills.

What is the difference between Navy Captain vs Navy Commander?

AspectNavy CaptainNavy Commander
Required CredentialsMilitary commission, extensive naval experienceMilitary commission, mid-level naval experience
Work EnvironmentCommand of large ships or units, strategic planningLeading smaller units or departments, operational roles
Employer & Industry UsageU.S. Navy, naval military structureU.S. Navy, naval military structure

While both Navy Captains and Navy Commanders hold significant leadership roles within the naval hierarchy, Captains typically command larger ships or units and have higher seniority. Commanders often oversee smaller units or specific departments. The main differences lie in rank, scope of responsibility, and experience level, with Captains generally having more extensive naval service and command authority.

More about Navy Captain jobs
What cities are hiring for Navy Captain jobs? Cities with the most Navy Captain job openings:
What states have the most Navy Captain jobs? States with the most job openings for Navy Captain jobs include:
Infographic showing various Navy Captain job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $77,625 per year, or $37.3 per hour.
Culinary Specialist

$35K - $47K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 372 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 46 rated military and defense


Job description

Job Title: Culinary Specialist
Category / Component: Enlisted • Both
Overview
Culinary Specialists operate and manage Navy dining and lodging services, planning menus, preparing meals, managing inventories and records, and contributing directly to crew morale and readiness at sea and ashore, including support to high visibility executive food service when selected.
Key Responsibilities
Plan menus and order subsistence; prepare and serve meals in galleys, mess decks, and wardrooms; manage storerooms, inventories, and financial records; operate and maintain kitchen and dining spaces; lead food production teams and supervise sanitation and food safety; support executive dining services and protocol events and perform in flight food service duties when assigned.
What to Expect
Fast paced food service operations with strict sanitation, safety, and quality standards; team focused environment with rotating schedules that align to ship and base operations; hands on culinary production and customer service with periods of high volume and special events; opportunities to work in both large cafeteria style operations and small executive dining venues.
Work Environment
Work in galleys and dining facilities aboard surface ships and submarines and in shore based dining facilities and lodging operations; operate across a range of venues from large mess decks to small wardrooms and executive dining spaces; deploy worldwide with ships and units and support food service in both afloat and ashore environments.
Pathways, Training & Advancement
Recruit Training followed by accession training and on the job qualification in galley operations, food preparation, baking, serving, and records management; Culinary Specialist A School may be waived based on pipeline needs, with Sailors qualifying through unit training and formal courses as available; progressive advancement through roles such as watch captain, leading Culinary Specialist, and opportunities for special programs such as Executive Services, Enlisted Aide, and Instructor duty.
Enlist as a Culinary Specialist and complete accession training, with rating assignment and formal schooling sequenced based on service needs; compete for special duty programs, including Executive Services and Instructor tours, after gaining fleet food service experience and strong performance marks.
Qualifications
All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include:

  • Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy
  • A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor’s or qualifying professional degree for officer positions
  • Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy. Some communities have more restrictive age ranges
  • Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards
  • Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening
  • Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs
  • Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator
  • Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.


Additional qualifications for this job may include:
Team orientation with good communication and customer service skills; solid arithmetic and record keeping ability for inventory and financial management; interest in culinary arts, nutrition, and food safety; attention to detail and ability to follow recipes, portioning, and sanitation procedures; ability to meet Navy enlistment standards and work safely in hot and fast paced galley environments.
Education
Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities. Specific options depend on the Sailor’s status, training, and current Navy policy.
Pay, Benefits & Service
Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options. Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.
Incentives
Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed. Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.
Notes and Disclaimers
This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community. It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes. Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.


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Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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