Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Maryland at an average of $143,980 per year, while New Jersey has an average of $99,540 — a difference of $44,440. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
About Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 36,850 workers were employed as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Transportation and Material Moving Occupations. The annual mean wage of $103,720 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 53-5021
What do these percentiles mean? The 10th percentile ($47,420) represents entry-level or part-time Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss, while the 90th percentile ($170,640) represents highly experienced professionals or those in high-demand locations. The median ($92,460) is the midpoint — half of all Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss earn more and half earn less than this amount.
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