Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earn a median $92,460 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels do
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.0% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 3,800
- Self-employed
- 8%
Employment of captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is projected to grow 4.0% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,511
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,733
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,341
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$73,876
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,420 | $22.80 | $40,282 |
| 25th percentile | $63,880 | $30.71 | $53,508 |
| Median (50th) | $92,460 | $44.45 | $73,876 |
| 75th percentile | $127,180 | $61.14 | $98,194 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,640 | $82.04 | $127,898 |
Best cities for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $118,830 | $92,427 | $93,712 | 2,550 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $118,830
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $138,950 | +45.9% | $99,902 | $54,920 – $222,280 | 450 |
| Tennessee | $132,710 | +44.4% | $101,973 | $60,270 – $215,470 | 940 |
| Louisiana | $117,160 | +13.3% | $88,124 | $60,480 – $206,860 | 6,830 |
| Texas | $111,390 | +5.3% | $87,193 | $64,850 – $170,800 | 3,400 |
| California | $110,090 | +38.4% | $78,838 | $56,060 – $239,200+ | 2,420 |
| New York | $104,800 | +1.2% | $77,414 | $54,850 – $165,360 | 1,930 |
| Mississippi | $104,220 | −7.5% | $78,712 | $47,030 – $186,020 | 570 |
| Washington | $103,730 | −0.8% | $81,804 | $57,350 – $153,330 | 1,560 |
| Iowa | $97,700 | −2.6% | $74,501 | $46,220 – $121,760 | 80 |
| Oregon | $97,050 | +28.4% | $69,442 | $52,880 – $138,000 | 350 |
| Indiana | $92,000 | +12.9% | $70,868 | $59,220 – $212,820 | 1,010 |
| New Jersey | $90,310 | −1.5% | $68,800 | $50,420 – $156,790 | 510 |
| Alaska | $88,230 | +9.7% | $70,900 | $42,360 – $149,370 | 710 |
| Virginia | $87,610 | +6.2% | $66,240 | $54,560 – $132,160 | 2,270 |
| West Virginia | $85,290 | −10.4% | $65,655 | $39,250 – $120,320 | 110 |
| Missouri | $83,670 | +7.2% | $64,697 | $31,960 – $158,510 | 420 |
| Minnesota | $80,920 | −3.6% | $61,778 | $37,770 – $134,680 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $79,110 | — | $61,469 | $55,440 – $111,570 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | $77,950 | +15.2% | $59,990 | $50,960 – $127,720 | 650 |
| Georgia | $77,090 | −3.9% | $59,685 | $38,640 – $121,570 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $76,790 | +14.2% | $60,589 | $39,360 – $163,510 | 250 |
| Florida | $76,040 | +19.7% | $62,324 | $36,240 – $136,120 | 5,040 |
| New Hampshire | $75,870 | +14.0% | $62,205 | $47,530 – $165,110 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $75,810 | +4.7% | $59,568 | $48,380 – $151,800 | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $74,390 | +15.1% | $58,601 | $36,360 – $132,080 | 170 |
| Delaware | $73,280 | +2.2% | $56,887 | $44,480 – $127,790 | 50 |
| Hawaii | $72,960 | −4.0% | $56,143 | $47,550 – $115,100 | 700 |
| Maine | $72,770 | +18.8% | $56,293 | $47,640 – $104,240 | 360 |
| Illinois | $69,600 | −8.5% | $54,493 | $48,210 – $125,050 | 900 |
| North Carolina | $69,170 | +3.7% | $55,240 | $43,040 – $105,880 | 490 |
| Alabama | $68,920 | −9.8% | $54,134 | $30,650 – $123,860 | 350 |
| Vermont | $64,020 | +3.5% | $51,855 | $31,800 – $120,140 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,420 | −25.1% | $49,645 | $36,710 – $127,060 | 580 |
| Arizona | $58,700 | — | $48,087 | $35,700 – $119,450 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $57,660 | −1.1% | $46,207 | $27,600 – $123,840 | 520 |
| Ohio | $56,070 | +7.8% | $46,473 | $37,530 – $99,090 | 420 |
| Michigan | $53,590 | −26.4% | $43,213 | $33,280 – $98,420 | 640 |
| Utah | $50,010 | +1.8% | $41,079 | $38,160 – $62,880 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorboat Operator | $47,520 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.9% |
| Ship Engineer | $109,530 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.7% |
| Sailor and Marine Oiler | $51,520 | No formal educational credential | +3.2% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.5% |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator | $77,320 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.1% |
| Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.0% |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $68,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make?
The national median salary for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $92,460 a year ($44.45 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,420 and the top 10% earn over $170,640. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $138,950. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels are there in the U.S.?
About 36,850 people work as captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels nationwide.