Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding, using, maintaining, or repairing machines, tools, equipment, and mechanical systems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Education and training requirements for water transportation workers vary by occupation. There are no educational requirements for entry-level sailors and marine oilers, but other water transportation workers typically complete U.S. Coast Guard-approved training programs. PayThe median annual wage for water transportation workers was $71,860 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of water transportation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for water transportation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for water transportation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of water transportation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about water transportation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for water transportation workers was $71,860 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of water transportation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for water transportation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for water transportation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of water transportation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about water transportation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of water transportation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for water transportation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for water transportation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of water transportation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about water transportation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water.
Work Environment
Most water transportation workers are full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. Schedules vary and may require workers to spend long periods away from home. These workers may be exposed to all kinds of weather.
How to Become a Water Transportation Worker
Education and training requirements for water transportation workers vary by occupation. There are no educational requirements for entry-level sailors and marine oilers, but other water transportation workers typically complete U.S. Coast Guard-approved training programs.
Pay
The median annual wage for water transportation workers was $71,860 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of water transportation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 8,600 openings for water transportation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for water transportation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of water transportation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about water transportation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most water transportation workers are full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. Schedules vary and may require workers to spend long periods away from home. These workers may be exposed to all kinds of weather.
How to Become a Water Transportation Worker
Education and training requirements for water transportation workers vary by occupation. There are no educational requirements for entry-level sailors and marine oilers, but other water transportation workers typically complete U.S. Coast Guard-approved training programs.
Pay
The median annual wage for water transportation workers was $71,860 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of water transportation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 8,600 openings for water transportation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for water transportation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of water transportation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about water transportation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for water transportation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of water transportation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about water transportation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about water transportation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Certificates & Training
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.