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Boston Career Explorer

Transportation and Material Moving

Motorboat Operators

Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.

Also called: Boat Operator, Crew Boat Operator, Harbor Pilot, Launch Operator, Launchman, Motorboat Operator

Median pay in Greater Boston
$45,760
$22.00/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
Not published
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+6.9%
10 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Postsecondary nondegree award
Less than 5 years of related work experience

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$43,330$43,330$45,760$45,760$50,530

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
  • Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
  • Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
  • Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
  • Organize and direct the activities of crew members.
  • Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure20 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 21
  • Language-model AIOE 12
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 28

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for motorboat operators is lower, and observed AI use is little or none. AI tools may help most with navigation, such as electronic aids for holding a course. The hands-on work stays with people: steering, docking and tying up, leading crew, and handling emergencies.

Likely to change

  • Electronic navigation aids and course tracking
  • Monitoring tools that flag problems underway

Still relies on people

  • Steering and docking the boat by hand
  • Leading crew during emergencies

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Crane and Tower Operators

    You already work engine and steering controls and follow safety rules. Crane operators use similar control skills and earn a higher Boston median pay, $98,140.

    Pay difference
    +$52,380 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +16.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

    Running powered equipment, watching for hazards, and following safety rules carry over. Pay is $76,940, with moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
    +$31,180 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +6.3%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

    Guiding a vehicle on a set route and focusing on safety carry over. Truck driving offers $64,010 median pay and 8.5% projected growth.

    Pay difference
    +$18,250 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +8.5%
    To get started
    Postsecondary nondegree award

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

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