SOC 53-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — Minnesota
Minnesota
Median pay for this occupation in Minnesota is $80,920 a year, trailing the national median of $92,460 by 12.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Minnesota is $80,920 a year, trailing the national median of $92,460 by 12.5%. Half of workers earn between $57,020 and $111,700. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,770 and the ninetieth at $134,680.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.16 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 38 states with published data for this occupation, Minnesota ranks 17th by median wage. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 223rd of 721 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,770 | −59.1% |
| 25th | $57,020 | −38.3% |
| Median (50th) | $80,920 | −12.5% |
| 75th | $111,700 | +20.8% |
| 90th | $134,680 | +45.7% |
| Mean | $88,660 | −4.1% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $80,920 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$80,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$82,069US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $80,920 a year, 12.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,770 to $134,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 17th of 38 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Minnesota?
The median annual wage is $80,920, or $38.90 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 Minnesota is 12.5% 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 Minnesota earns more than $134,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,770 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 110 jobs in this occupation in Minnesota. 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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