Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in U.S.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in U.S. make a median of $85,540 a year, or about $41.13 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $164K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $86K get you in U.S.?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $86K.Top earners bring in $164K or more - a $118K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in U.S.?
The median is $85,540 a year - that works out to about $41.13 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,260, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $164,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $86K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,714/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 24.7% 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 U.S.?
U.S. 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 $85,540 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.