Qualifications to become a boat or ship captain include a bachelor’s degree from a merchant marine academy with a focus on marine transportation, navigation, or a related field. Licensure and certification may vary due to the type of vessel, but typically include the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from Homeland Security and a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). A captain usually starts as a crew member to gain the experience and skills needed to be the leader of a crew. Boat captains ensure the safety of all personnel and equipment, as well as the smooth operation of any tasks.

If you are interested in a job related to Captain, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Captain Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Captain positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Uscg Captain
Salary range: $33,500 - $63,500
As a USCG captain, your responsibilities are to oversee the operation of a boat. You control and navigate your vessel, command crew members, and ensure safe operation. Your specific duties may vary depending on the type of boat that you operate and the captain’s license you obtain from the United States Coast Guard. You may operate fishing or commercial boats, vessels that transport passengers, or ferry boats. Captains with a USCG license can command boats in U.S. coastal waters, on the Great Lakes, and inland waters.
100 Ton Crew Boat Captain
Salary range: $33,500 - $63,500
100 Ton Crew Boat Captain is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for 100 Ton Crew Boat Captain jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $63,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for 100 Ton Crew Boat Captain job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Captains License
Salary range: $38,500 - $68,000
Captains License is a typical job search query Most salaries for Captains License jobs pay between $38,500 (25th percentile) and $68,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Captains License job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
River Pilot
Salary range: $176,000 - $218,500
A river pilot steers boats on inland waterways. As a river pilot, your duties focus on guiding a vessel up and down rivers. Some pilots drive a riverboat or tugboat, while others take over for captains on ocean-going vessels when they enter river systems. In these cases, you stay onshore and travel to each ship as it sits at the mouth of the river. Sometimes, your responsibilities involve taking a boat into a harbor that is on a river near the ocean. While piloting any ship, you are in charge of all crew members and must work to ensure their safety.
Boat Deckhand
Salary range: $37,500 - $51,500
Boat Deckhand is a common job search query. Most salaries for Boat Deckhand jobs pay between $37,500 (25th percentile) and $51,500 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Boat Deckhand job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Maritime Captain
Salary range: $36,000 - $86,000
Maritime Captain is a typical job search query Most salaries for Maritime Captain jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $86,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Maritime Captain job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Sea Tow Captain
Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000
Sea Tow Captain is a typical job search query Most salaries for Sea Tow Captain jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Sea Tow Captain job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Boat Captain Housing Included
Salary range: $33,500 - $63,500
Boat Captain Housing Included is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Boat Captain Housing Included jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $63,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Boat Captain Housing Included job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Tow Boat Captain
Salary range: $37,000 - $50,500
Tow Boat Captain is a typical job search query Most salaries for Tow Boat Captain jobs pay between $37,000 (25th percentile) and $50,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Tow Boat Captain job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Merchant Marine Captain
Salary range: $33,500 - $63,500
Merchant Marine Captain is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Merchant Marine Captain jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $63,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Merchant Marine Captain job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs Captain Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Captain Jobs in 2026