Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 53-5021As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in the United States is $92,460 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 37,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,420 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $63,880 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $92,460 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $127,180 | Experienced |
| 90th | $170,640 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $138,950 | $143,980 | 450 |
| Tennessee | $132,710 | $132,020 | 940 |
| Louisiana | $117,160 | $119,980 | 7,000 |
| Texas | $111,390 | $112,180 | 3,000 |
| California | $110,090 | $129,580 | 2,000 |
| New York | $104,800 | $108,420 | 2,000 |
| Mississippi | $104,220 | $111,940 | 570 |
| Washington | $103,730 | $103,890 | 2,000 |
| Iowa | $97,700 | $91,380 | 80 |
| Oregon | $97,050 | $97,140 | 350 |
| Indiana | $92,000 | $114,900 | 1,000 |
| New Jersey | $90,310 | $99,540 | 510 |
| Alaska | $88,230 | $94,450 | 710 |
| Virginia | $87,610 | $92,850 | 2,000 |
| West Virginia | $85,290 | $87,950 | 110 |
| Missouri | $83,670 | $88,920 | 420 |
| Minnesota | $80,920 | $88,660 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $79,110 | $87,230 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | $77,950 | $85,830 | 650 |
| Georgia | $77,090 | $84,640 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $76,790 | $85,220 | 250 |
| Florida | $76,040 | $84,720 | 5,000 |
| New Hampshire | $75,870 | $89,750 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $75,810 | $95,590 | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $74,390 | $85,140 | 170 |
| Delaware | $73,280 | $79,840 | 50 |
| Hawaii | $72,960 | $79,360 | 700 |
| Maine | $72,770 | $74,300 | 360 |
| Illinois | $69,600 | $83,930 | 900 |
| North Carolina | $69,170 | $79,180 | 490 |
| Alabama | $68,920 | $80,400 | 350 |
| Vermont | $64,020 | $76,590 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,420 | $82,220 | 580 |
| Arizona | $58,700 | $69,200 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $57,660 | $70,300 | 520 |
| Ohio | $56,070 | $64,010 | 420 |
| Michigan | $53,590 | $62,290 | 640 |
| Utah | $50,010 | $53,670 | — |
| Virgin Islands | $48,700 | $84,140 | 130 |
| Puerto Rico | $47,410 | $53,520 | 120 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in the US?
The US national median wage for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $92,460 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in the US?
Pay ranges from $47,420 at the 10th percentile to $170,640 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels the most?
The highest-paying states for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels include Maryland ($138,950), Tennessee ($132,710), Louisiana ($117,160). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Maryland ($138,950) pays roughly 193% more than Puerto Rico ($47,410). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02