Research Vessel Captain pay range
State of North Carolina · class code 32000848
- Class code
- 32000848
- Pay group
- NC11
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- North Carolina
- The State of North Carolina published pay range for Research Vessel Captain is $45,431 to $79,504 per year.
- North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) keys this classification as class code 32000848.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Class specification
The OSHR class specification for this class is published by North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 06/2016.
What the state says the job is
Positions in this class operate and maintain research vessels in support of a wide variety of underwater research activities with overall responsibility for the safety and operation of the vessel and passengers. Positions are responsible for all aspects of operations and vessel maintenance year round under potentially hazardous conditions including navigation. Duties can range from crew leader, vessel engineer or relief captain to full oversight and direction of the crew in deploying and retrieving research equipment; determination of safe operating conditions or when to cease operations because of hazardous working conditions; compliance with all state and federal laws on safety for operation of the vessel; oversight of the maintenance of the navigation, electrical and mechanical systems and direction of the maintenance and repair of equipment and other gear involved in completing objec ...
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Considerable knowledge of the various fishing techniques used on-board commercial fishing vessels, the use of fishing equipment, the fabrication and repair of fishing equipment, navigation, and the use of standard and electronic navigation devices. Considerable knowledge of local coastal waters and applicable State, Federal and/or U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations governing the operation of a vessel inland and offshore waters. Working knowledge of the sea and weather, sufficient to safely direct the operation of a vessel on the open ocean. Skills in all phases of seamanship including command, navigation and first aid. Ability to plan voyages, chart readings and plot courses. Ability to ...
Minimum qualifications
High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and sufficient experience in commercial fishing or other vessel work to be a master of a vessel similar to the vessels operated or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Special requirements
US Coast Guard Master's Licensure for tonnage required for operation of vessel intended for use. Must have or be eligible to obtain a NC Commercial Driver's License at employee's expense. <h2
Quoted from the OSHR class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) publishes this figure in OSHR salary schedules, joined to Class Specifications. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their salary grades come from the Class Specifications, joined to the salary schedule.
Nearby classes in North Carolina
Research Vessel Captain in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $48,116 | $72,174 | $48,116 to $72,174 |
| Wisconsin | $24.14 | $64.93 | $50,211 to $135,054 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.