SOC 53-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — Chicago
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
In Chicago, IL the median wage is $76,530.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Chicago, IL the median wage is $76,530. That is 17.2% lower than the national median of $92,460. Pay ranges from under $48,210 at the tenth percentile to more than $124,870 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $64,190 to $98,500.
The area has 440 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.41 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Of the 716 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 277th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,210 | −47.9% |
| 25th | $64,190 | −30.6% |
| Median (50th) | $76,530 | −17.2% |
| 75th | $98,500 | +6.5% |
| 90th | $124,870 | +35.1% |
| Mean | $84,050 | −9.1% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Chicago sit close to the national average, so $76,530 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$76,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,530US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,530 a year, 17.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,210 to $124,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 440 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Chicago, IL?
The median annual wage is $76,530, or $36.80 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $92,460, so pay in Chicago, IL is 17.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Chicago, IL earns more than $124,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,210 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 440 jobs in this occupation in Chicago, IL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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