Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessel Salary in 2026
How Much Do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Make?
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earn a median annual salary of $85,540 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $46,260 at the 10th percentile to $164,230 at the 90th percentile — a range of $117,970. The highest-paying state is Mississippi at $112,670.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,260 |
| 25th percentile | $60,800 |
| Median (50th) | $85,540 |
| 75th percentile | $124,530 |
| 90th percentile | $164,230 |
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessel Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Mississippitop | $112,670 |
| Texas | $105,790 |
| Washington | $104,560 |
| New York | $103,510 |
| Louisiana | $103,430 |
| Iowa | $100,330 |
| Maryland | $95,210 |
| West Virginia | $95,170 |
| Tennessee | $91,880 |
| New Jersey | $91,700 |
| Arkansas | $89,340 |
| Minnesota | $83,920 |
| Virginia | $82,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,050 |
| Kentucky | $81,820 |
| Indiana | $81,510 |
| Alaska | $80,430 |
| Georgia | $80,180 |
| California | $79,560 |
| Missouri | $78,020 |
| Alabama | $76,400 |
| Illinois | $76,090 |
| Hawaii | $75,980 |
| Oregon | $75,590 |
| Michigan | $72,810 |
| Connecticut | $72,380 |
| Delaware | $71,700 |
| Massachusetts | $67,690 |
| Rhode Island | $67,250 |
| North Carolina | $66,680 |
| New Hampshire | $66,560 |
| Wisconsin | $64,610 |
| Florida | $63,540 |
| Vermont | $61,880 |
| Maine | $61,280 |
| South Carolina | $58,280 |
| Ohio | $52,000 |
| Utah | $49,120 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessel Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$46,260 – $60,800 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$85,540 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$124,530 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $164,230+ |
How to Earn More as a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessel
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area earn $160,320 — $74,780 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($124,530) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessel Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselthis career | $85,540 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architect | $105,670 |
| Fishing and Hunting Worker | N/A |
| Commercial Diver | $61,130 |
| Rigger | $62,060 |
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SOC: 53-5021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.