How much does a Tugboat master make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Tugboat master
Image that illustrates Tugboat master

Tugboat master

50 500 kr

Ship officers etc.

44 900 - 55 300 kr / month

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Tugboat master

Average salary 50 500 kr
Males 50 500 kr
Females 0 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a tugboat captain do? – Tasks and work environment

A tugboat captain is responsible for leading and navigating tugboats at ports, shipping lanes, and terminals. Tasks include safely maneuvering the vessel, assisting larger ships with mooring and departure, and handling emergency situations at sea. The captain oversees onboard safety, coordinates the crew, and is also responsible for the vessel’s technical condition and maintenance. The work environment is often demanding with variable weather conditions, shift work, and periods of high workload, especially in larger ports or during difficult towing operations.

Salary development over time

The salary for tugboat captains has developed steadily in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 47,600 SEK per month, increasing to 48 600 SEK during 2023. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 50 500 SEK, corresponding to an increase of approximately 6.1% over three years. This growth reflects continued demand for qualified captains in maritime operations, where increased safety, certifications, and technical skills contribute to positive salary trends. The market is also influenced by the availability of trained personnel and changes within the transportation and logistics sectors. Despite the niche nature of the profession, the need for experienced captains helps keep salaries competitive.

Tugboat captain salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 50 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,900 SEK/month (men), 48,700 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 55,300 SEK/month (men), 54,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 304 SEK
  • Gender differences: Men earn an average of 50 500 SEK; specific data for women is lacking but top and bottom levels are known
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

To work as a tugboat captain, a solid maritime education and several years of practical experience at sea are required. The educational path typically includes post-secondary maritime training combined with certifications specific to tugboat commanding. Internships and supervised service are mandatory to obtain the necessary licenses and ensure the captain can handle the responsibilities onboard.

  • Formal education: Post-secondary maritime training (3 years or more)
  • Certifications: Ship officer class VII or higher and specialized courses in tug operations
  • Practical experience: Mandatory sea time and supervised service
  • Prerequisites: Approved high school education, often with a marine engineering focus
  • Tips: Experience from similar positions and technical knowledge of ship systems are advantageous

Working as a tugboat captain often involves quick decision-making and close cooperation with both the crew and port personnel. It is a profession where no two days are the same, and weather conditions can make each assignment unique.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Tugboat captains are often offered benefits such as per diems for work in other ports, compensation for unsociable hours, and access to crew accommodations during longer assignments. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, supplementary insurance, and opportunities for training and certification courses funded by the employer.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a tugboat captain is generally limited due to the specific education and certifications required. Challenges in the profession include responsibility for onboard safety, high stress tolerance, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions. Advances in technology and digitalization of ship systems mean ongoing training is essential. Since the number of positions is relatively small, switching employers may require relocating within the country or abroad.

Tips for aspiring tugboat captains

To succeed as a tugboat captain, it is important to have a strong focus on safety and be meticulous, given the significant responsibility for the crew and vessel. Good teamwork skills facilitate cooperation with the crew and other port actors, and patience is needed to handle long working hours and unforeseen events. The ability to make quick decisions under pressure is crucial, and an interest in technology helps in understanding and managing ship equipment. Flexibility and openness to working at different times and places, as well as continuous updating of skills through further training and certifications, are also important.

Key facts about tugboat captains

  • Education level: Post-secondary maritime education (at least 3 years)
  • Work environment: Variable, often shift work and outdoor work in tough weather conditions
  • Typical employment: Full-time, often with on-call and standby duties
  • Demand: Limited number of positions, but high demand for experienced captains
  • Special skills: Navigation, safety, leadership, and technical maintenance

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a tugboat captain can advance to chief mate, port captain, or take responsibility for larger ships within maritime operations. Opportunities also exist to specialize in training new personnel, safety work, or technical maintenance. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast, no precise assessment of future prospects for tugboat captains is available due to limited statistics, but within the ship officer profession, there are a total of 412 job openings. The industry is expected to be affected by digitalization and increased environmental requirements, making technical skills and further education increasingly important.

Frequently asked questions about tugboat captains

  • What does a tugboat captain earn?
    - A tugboat captain has an average salary of 50 500 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a tugboat captain?
    - Post-secondary maritime education and certification as a ship officer are required.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Salary data for men exists, but complete statistics for women are lacking; however, ranges for the highest and lowest salaries are known.
  • What is the work environment like for a tugboat captain?
    - The work environment is often challenging with shift work, outdoor work, and high safety standards.
  • What are the career prospects?
    - Career paths can lead to roles such as chief mate, port captain, or trainer.
  • What is the demand for tugboat captains?
    - The number of positions is limited but there is high demand for experienced captains within the profession.
  • What benefits are common for tugboat captains?
    - Common benefits include per diems, overtime allowances, wellness contributions, and insurance.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 17:32:03

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Tugboat master is 55300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 54900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Tugboat master is 44900 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 48700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 47100 kr 51800 kr
45-54 49000 kr 54200 kr
55-64 45500 kr 48800 kr
Snitt 46400 kr 50500 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Tugboat master has the SSYK code 3152, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics