SOC 53-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — South Central Wisconsin
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area
In South Central Wisconsin, WI the median wage is $82,870.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In South Central Wisconsin, WI the median wage is $82,870. That is 10.4% lower than the national median of $92,460. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,360 and $103,980. The lowest tenth earn under $32,130, while the highest tenth earn more than $172,450.
Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 70th of 421 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,130 | −65.2% |
| 25th | $36,360 | −60.7% |
| Median (50th) | $82,870 | −10.4% |
| 75th | $103,980 | +12.5% |
| 90th | $172,450 | +86.5% |
| Mean | $84,690 | −8.4% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $82,870 goes as far as $88,066 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$82,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$88,066US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $82,870 a year, 10.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,130 to $172,450 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in South Central Wisconsin, WI?
The median annual wage is $82,870, or $39.84 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 South Central Wisconsin, WI is 10.4% 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 South Central Wisconsin, WI earns more than $172,450 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,130 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.
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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