Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary
- 10th pct
- $47,420
- Middle 50%
- $63,880–$127,180
- 90th pct
- $170,640
The BLS estimates 36,850 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs in the U.S. with a median base pay of $92,460 ($44.45 an hour) (May 2025, SOC 53-5021). Across 31 metros with published figures, medians range from $48,030 in Pittsburgh, PA to $130,380 in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE36,850 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall U.S. employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · United States
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Where Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earn the most
31 metros · BLS
Highest-paying metros
| Metro | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $130,380 | 800 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $129,260 | 900 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $124,610 | 440 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $121,710 | 1,940 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $120,810 | 580 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $118,830 | 2,550 |
| Lafayette, LA | $116,200 | 270 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $113,260 | 1,210 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $112,320 | 230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $109,080 | 1,140 |
Largest metros
| Metro | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $118,830 | 2,550 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $106,230 | 2,060 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $86,940 | 2,050 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $103,780 | 2,040 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $121,710 | 1,940 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $78,280 | 1,710 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $113,260 | 1,210 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $109,080 | 1,140 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $129,260 | 900 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $130,380 | 800 |
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Questions
What is the median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in the U.S.?
$92,460 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half earn $63,880–$127,180.
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make an hour?
The BLS U.S. median is $44.45 an hour (May 2025). The middle half earn $30.71–$61.14 an hour, and the 90th percentile is $82.04. These are straight-time wages, before overtime and shift differentials.
Where do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earn the most?
Highest metro medians: Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN ($130,380), Baton Rouge, LA ($129,260), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($124,610). Cost of living differs, so compare offers locally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 (metro, state and national estimates). Employer filing counts: U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2026 Q3, visa-sponsored positions only.