How to become a harbour pilot
Official title: Harbour pilot
Also called: Ship harbour pilot, Ship pilot, Special limit deck officer, chief mate, Special limit deck officer, master mate, Ship pilot, Special limit deck officer, chief mate
Harbour pilot provides pilotage and berthing services, and ensures the safe and expedient movement of ships entering and departing the port. He/she complies with port regulations and emergency response plans.
Main tasks
- Navigating vessels into and out of ports and through channels, straits and other waters where special knowledge is required
- Applying knowledge of principles and practices relating to ship’s operation and navigation in order to identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work
- Transmitting and receiving routine and emergency information with shore stations and other ships
How to become one
Harbour pilot must pass a colour vision test and holds a Harbour Pilot Licence issued by the relevant authority of the Flag State.
Ways in
- Licence or registration: Harbour pilot must pass a colour vision test and holds a Harbour Pilot Licence issued by the relevant authority of the Flag State.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $105,996 a year. The middle half earn $85,116 to $120,624 a year.
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Related jobs
- Ship’s deck navigating officer
- Port master/Dockmaster
- Marine engineering officer
- Port captain
- Air traffic controller
- Sea traffic controller
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Questions people ask
How do I become a harbour pilot?
Harbour pilot must pass a colour vision test and holds a Harbour Pilot Licence issued by the relevant authority of the Flag State.
How much does a harbour pilot earn in Singapore?
Median full-time pay is $105,996 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $85,116 to $120,624.
Will AI change the work of a harbour pilot?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
- Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat): Singapore Standard Occupational Classification (SSOC) 2024 (SSOC 2024 (definitions and index updated 2026-06-24)), Singapore Open Data Licence, retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026