Ship Captain
Command vessels navigating oceans for trade, transport, and exploration
About the profession
Ship Captains command commercial vessels transporting cargo and passengers across the world's oceans. They are responsible for navigation, crew safety, cargo operations, and regulatory compliance. The career offers adventure, competitive compensation (especially for tanker and container ship captains), and extended time off between voyages.
How to Get Started
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Jump to Learning Path →Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Deck Cadet → Third Officer → Chief Officer → Ship Captain → Fleet Captain
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
5
Levels
0K
Top Salary
10+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Base: $40,000 - $52,000/year Base: $55,000 - $72,000/year Base: $80,000 - $110,000/year Base: $110,000 - $150,000/year Base: $150,000 - $200,000/year
Skills used in this career
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Learning Path 0 → Junior
Step-by-step plan from zero to first job
Attend maritime academy and earn USCG/STCW credentials Complete sea time requirements as deck cadet Pass officer license examinations Build sea time and upgrade through officer…
Market 2026–2030
Trends, AI impact, prospects
Growth Rate: Average through 2030 Remote Trend: Primarily on-site — vessel command required Top Industries: Container shipping, tanker companies, cruise lines, government…
💰 Salary Range
US dataSign up to see salary data
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