SOC 53-5021 · May 2025 · United States
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels across the United States is $92,460 per year, measured over 36,850 jobs. The highest state median is in Maryland, at $138,950.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to grow more slowly than average
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- +0.5%
- Openings per year
- 4,300
- Typical entry-level education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
7.1% of people in this occupation work for themselves.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Pay for this occupation varies by 177.8% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Maryland pays $138,950 and Utah pays $50,010.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $138,950 | 450 | |
| 2 | Tennessee | $132,710 | 940 | |
| 3 | Louisiana | $117,160 | 6,830 | |
| 4 | Texas | $111,390 | 3,400 | |
| 5 | California | $110,090 | 2,420 | |
| 6 | New York | $104,800 | 1,930 | |
| 7 | Mississippi | $104,220 | 570 | |
| 8 | Washington | $103,730 | 1,560 | |
| 9 | Iowa | $97,700 | 80 | |
| 10 | Oregon | $97,050 | 350 |
States with the most Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | 6,830 | $117,160 | |
| 2 | Florida | 5,040 | $76,040 | |
| 3 | Texas | 3,400 | $111,390 | |
| 4 | California | 2,420 | $110,090 | |
| 5 | Virginia | 2,270 | $87,610 | |
| 6 | New York | 1,930 | $104,800 | |
| 7 | Washington | 1,560 | $103,730 | |
| 8 | Indiana | 1,010 | $92,000 | |
| 9 | Tennessee | 940 | $132,710 | |
| 10 | Illinois | 900 | $69,600 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $130,380 | 800 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $129,260 | 900 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $124,610 | 440 |
| 4 | New Orleans | $121,710 | 1,940 |
| 5 | Slidell | $120,810 | 580 |
| 6 | Lake Charles | $119,630 | 150 |
| 7 | Houston | $118,830 | 2,550 |
| 8 | Lafayette | $116,200 | 270 |
| 9 | Bremerton | $113,850 | 60 |
| 10 | Mount Vernon | $113,850 | 40 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.