What is a Ship Captain salary?
Rachel Ross
Published Jan 24, 2026
In 2017, the average pay for a ship captain was $80,970. The highest earners garnered $138,620 and the lowest reported salary for a ship captain was $35,640. Inland water transportation captains have the highest earning potential.
What is the duty of a ship captain?
The captain is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the ship—including its seaworthiness, safety and security, cargo operations, navigation, crew management, and legal compliance—and for the persons and cargo on board.
How many years does it take to become a ship captain?
Career Requirements
| Experience | 3 – 4 years |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | Bachelor’s degree |
| Degree Field | Marine transportation, marine engineering, maritime operations and technology, logistics and intermodal transportation, marine engineering systems, marine engineering, and shipyard management |
Who runs a ship?
A helmsman or helm is a person who steers a ship, sailboat, submarine, other type of maritime vessel, or spacecraft.
Who owns the largest container ship?
In terms of capacity, the world’s largest container ship operators include France’s CMA CGM, Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company and Denmark’s Maersk Line. After an alliance between these three companies was nixed by antitrust watchdogs, a partnership between MSC, Hyundai M.M. and Maersk was approved in 2016.
How much does a ship captain make in Canada?
An early career Ship Captain with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of C$125,000 based on 5 salaries. A mid-career Ship Captain with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of C$125,474 based on 6 salaries.
What’s the average salary of a sea captain?
The mean, or average, annual income is $70,920. The lowest 10 percent had an annual income of $35,640, while the top 90 percent could reach $138,620. Inland water captains receive the highest mean wage of $88,530, while deep-sea captains earn a mean income of $84,150.
What do you need to know about being a ship captain?
The most important requirement for a ship captain is experience. Many applicants start out working on ships at an early age. A captain’s license is based on his experience and training on the water. Captains of small boats are not allowed to take command of large ships without receiving more advanced testing and licensing.
How long does it take to become a cruise ship captain?
Most captains work two months on, two months off, or a similar pattern depending on the length of the cruise. The job may be more physically demanding than you imagine — the captain is essentially on call 24/7 while the ship is at sea. It takes many years of hard work to become a cruise ship captain.
