Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Kentucky
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Kentucky make a median of $81,820 a year, or about $39.34 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $82K get you in Kentucky?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K.Top earners bring in $163K or more - a $113K spread from bottom to top.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $113K | +32% | 530 |
| Texas | $106K | +24% | 4,090 |
| Washington | $105K | +22% | 1,600 |
| New York | $104K | +21% | 2,080 |
| Louisiana | $103K | +21% | 6,310 |
| Iowa | $100K | +17% | 100 |
| Maryland | $95K | +11% | 460 |
| West Virginia | $95K | +11% | 110 |
| Tennessee | $92K | +7% | 840 |
| New Jersey | $92K | +7% | 880 |
| Arkansas | $89K | +4% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $84K | -2% | 90 |
| Virginia | $82K | -4% | 1,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $82K | -4% | 530 |
| Kentucky | $82K | -4% | 1,490 |
Track captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in Kentucky?
The median is $81,820 a year - that works out to about $39.34 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,410, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $162,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,223/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,110/month (median of metro areas), which eats 21.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary is worth about $81,820 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.