SOC 53-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — Louisville/Jefferson County
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels reaches $130,380 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels reaches $130,380 a year. That is 41.0% more than the national median of $92,460. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $81,290 and $163,120. The lowest tenth earn under $59,220, while the highest tenth earn more than $212,820.
Employment stands at 800, or 1.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 27th of 560 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,220 | −36.0% |
| 25th | $81,290 | −12.1% |
| Median (50th) | $130,380 | +41.0% |
| 75th | $163,120 | +76.4% |
| 90th | $212,820 | +130.2% |
| Mean | $127,740 | +38.2% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisville/Jefferson County run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $130,380 goes as far as $144,545 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 56.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$130,380as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$144,545US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $130,380 a year, 41.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $59,220 to $212,820 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 800 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY?
The median annual wage is $130,380, or $62.68 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY is 41.0% higher. 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns more than $212,820 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $59,220 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 800 jobs in this occupation in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. 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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