How Much They Make Logo How Much They Make

How Much Do Watch Officer Make?

How much do watch officer make? Discover the average salary, base salary, and compensation for watch officer in the law, legal & compliance category. Learn about watch officer pay per hour, per week, per month, and per annum with detailed salary ranges from $50,000 to $80,000.

Base Salary (avg)
$86,000
Per Hour
$41/hr
Avg Bonus
$5,000
Job Outlook
10.12%
Experience
3 yrs

How Much Do Watch Officer Make? Complete Salary Guide

How much do watch officer make? This is one of the most common questions in career planning. Watch Officer in the Law, Legal & Compliance field can expect to earn an average salary of $86,000 per year, with entry-level positions starting at $50,000 and experienced professionals earning up to $80,000 annually.

When breaking down the average salary of watch officer by time periods, watch officer typically make around $7,166.667 per month and approximately $1,653.846 per week. The basic salary of watch officer varies significantly based on experience level, location, and industry specialization. Entry-level watch officer typically start with a base salary of $50,000, while mid-career professionals earn an average of $80,000, and senior-level roles can command salaries exceeding $80,000.

The salary landscape for watch officer is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, educational background, and specific industry demands. How much do watch officer make in a week? On average, this translates to approximately $1,653.846 per week. How much do watch officer make per annum? The annual salary range spans from $50,000 to $120,000, with the median salary sitting at $86,000. Additionally, many watch officer receive bonuses averaging $5,000 annually, representing approximately 15.25% of their base salary.

How Much Do Watch Officer Get Paid Per Annum? Watch Officer Salary

Annual salary data for watch officer across different experience levels, showing entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professional compensation ranges based on industry standards.

Entry Level Annual Salary

$50,000
Range: $50,000 - $50,000

Mid-Career Annual Salary

$80,000
Range: $70,000 - $85,000

Experienced Annual Salary

$80,000
Range: $75,000 - $120,000

How Much Do Watch Officer Get Paid in a Month? Watch Officer Monthly Salary

Monthly salary breakdowns for watch officer at different career stages, providing practical budgeting insights and compensation expectations for financial planning.

Entry Level Monthly Salary

$4,167
per month

Mid-Career Monthly Salary

$6,667
per month

Experienced Monthly Salary

$6,667
per month

How Much Do Watch Officer Get Paid in Different Locations?

Geographic salary variations for watch officer across different cities and regions, including cost of living adjustments and regional market demand factors that impact compensation.

Austin
$80,000
Range: $55,000 - $110,000
Remote
$75,000
Range: $50,000 - $100,000
Seattle
$85,000
Range: $65,000 - $115,000
New York
$90,000
Range: $60,000 - $120,000
San Francisco
$95,000
Range: $70,000 - $130,000

Watch Officer Salary Trends

Historical salary progression for watch officer over the past years, showing year-over-year compensation growth and market trends in the industry.

Watch Officer Salary Trends (2020 - 2025)

Bonus & Compensation Package

Additional compensation beyond base salary, including bonuses, commissions, and overtime opportunities that contribute to total annual earnings.

Bonus Percentage

15.25%

of annual salary

Bonuses for Watch Officers are typically awarded based on performance, safety records, and adherence to operational protocols and regulations.

Average Bonus

$5,000

annually

Commission

A Watch Officer role may offer commission or incentive opportunities, depending on the organization and specific responsibilities tied to performance metrics and operational success.

Overtime

Overtime pay is common for Watch Officers, as their roles often require extended hours and irregular shifts to ensure continuous operational coverage and safety.

Employee Benefits Package

Comprehensive benefits and perks provided to employees, including health coverage, retirement plans, time off policies, and professional development opportunities.

Comprehensive Benefits

Typical benefits for a Watch Officer include health insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, paid time off (PTO), life insurance, disability coverage, and opportunities for professional development.

Health Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plans
Development

Watch Officer Job Overview

Comprehensive details about the watch officer role including daily responsibilities, work environment, physical demands, and key tasks that define this career path.

About This Role

A Watch Officer oversees operations during their shift, ensuring safety and security protocols are followed. They monitor systems, respond to incidents, and coordinate communication among teams. This role requires strong decision-making skills, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure while managing critical situations effectively.

Primary Responsibilities

Monitoring vessel operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, maintaining communication with crew and other vessels, conducting navigational assessments, managing watch team activities, responding to emergencies, documenting incidents and observations, overseeing safety drills, coordinating maintenance tasks, reporting to senior officers.

Day-to-Day Tasks

A Watch Officer monitors vessel operations, ensures safety protocols, communicates with crew and other vessels, navigates using charts and instruments, and maintains detailed logs of all activities.

Work Environment

Field

Watch Officers typically work in control rooms or command centers, monitoring operations, ensuring safety, and coordinating responses under high-pressure conditions.

Physical Demands

Moderate

Watch Officers must have good vision, hearing, and physical stamina to monitor operations effectively, often working in high-stress environments with varying shifts and conditions.

Watch Officer Requirements & Prerequisites

Essential qualifications and credentials needed to pursue a career as a watch officer, including educational background, certifications, and experience requirements.

Education

Typically, a Bachelor's degree is required for a Watch Officer.

Field: Maritime Studies, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Environmental Science.

Experience

3 years

Employers seek candidates with strong navigation skills, maritime safety knowledge, leadership experience, crisis management abilities, and proficiency in communication and teamwork to ensure effective watchkeeping operations.

Certifications

STCW Certificate, GMDSS License, Radar Observer Certificate, Medical First Aid Certificate, Ship Security Officer (SSO) Certification, Bridge Resource Management (BRM) Certification.

Required Skills

Attention to detail, strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, situational awareness, decision-making skills, teamwork and collaboration, time management, proficiency in relevant technology.

Technical Skills

Situational AwarenessCommunication SkillsCrisis ManagementDecision MakingTeam LeadershipOperational Planning

Soft Skills

CommunicationProblem SolvingAttention to DetailTeamworkCritical ThinkingAdaptability

Watch Officer Career Path

Professional progression opportunities for watch officer from entry-level to senior management, including typical career advancement timeline and role evolution.

Entry Level

Positions:

Deckhand, Navigation Officer Trainee, Marine Operations Assistant

Early-career Watch Officers monitor ship operations, ensure safety protocols, navigate vessels, communicate with crew, and respond to emergencies while maintaining situational awareness at sea.

Mid-Career

Positions:

Operations Coordinator, Maritime Operations Specialist, Security Analyst

Mid-career Watch Officers oversee vessel navigation, ensure safety compliance, manage crew operations, analyze situational data, and coordinate emergency responses while maintaining effective communication.

Senior Management

Positions:

Operations Manager, Security Director, Risk Management Officer

Senior Watch Officers oversee operations, ensure safety protocols, manage teams, analyze data, coordinate responses to incidents, and maintain communication with stakeholders for effective decision-making.

Career Progression Timeline

Timeline: 10 years

A Watch Officer typically progresses from entry-level roles to senior positions, gaining experience in operations and leadership, eventually advancing to managerial or specialized roles in maritime security.

Watch Officer Industry & Growth

Market outlook and growth prospects for watch officer, including industry trends, job market demand, and factors influencing career opportunities and advancement.

Job Outlook

10.12% Growth

Stable

Projected: 2024–2034

Industry Trends

Increased automation and the use of advanced technology in maritime operations, a growing emphasis on environmental sustainability and compliance with regulations, rising demand for cybersecurity expertise in maritime systems.

Growth Factors

Rising maritime security concerns, increased shipping traffic, regulatory compliance, technological advancements in navigation, and heightened focus on safety and environmental protection drive Watch Officer demand.

Future Opportunities

AI-driven maritime surveillance, autonomous shipping, blockchain for supply chain transparency, and eco-friendly vessel technologies are emerging niches creating new opportunities for Watch Officers.

Watch Officer Related Professions

Alternative career paths and similar roles for watch officer, including career transitions, related positions, and advancement opportunities within the field.

Similar Roles

Security OfficerSurveillance OperatorIncident Response SpecialistOperations Supervisor

Career Alternatives

Security ConsultantOperations SupervisorEmergency Response CoordinatorRisk Assessment Analyst

Upgrade Paths

Senior Watch OfficerOperations ManagerIntelligence Analyst

Related Entry Roles

Intelligence AnalystOperations CoordinatorSecurity Specialist

Watch Officer Skills & Development

Essential skills and professional development resources for watch officer, including technical abilities, soft skills, recommended courses, and ongoing learning opportunities.

Technical Skills

Situational AwarenessCommunication SkillsCrisis ManagementNavigation SystemsData AnalysisReport WritingTeam CoordinationDecision Making

Soft Skills Needed

CommunicationProblem-solvingAttention to DetailTeamworkAdaptability

Recommended Certifications

Certified Maritime OfficerShip Security Officer CertificationSTCW Basic Safety Training

Recommended Courses

Watchkeeping and Bridge Resource ManagementMarine Navigation and Watchkeeping

Development Resources

LinkedIn LearningCourseraMarineTraffic AcademyThe Nautical Institute

Training Timeline

6months

Estimated training time

Frequently Asked Questions About Watch Officer Salary

Common questions and answers about pursuing a career as a watch officer, covering qualifications, salary expectations, career prospects, and practical career guidance.

How Much Others Make?

Explore salary data for other professions to compare compensation across different career paths and industries.

Important Disclaimer

Salary information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. Actual salaries may vary based on location, experience, education, industry, company size, and other factors. We strive to provide accurate data, but cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of all information. Please verify with official sources before making career decisions.