Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary by State
The national median pay for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $92,460 a year. By state, it ranges from $50,010 in Utah to $138,950 in Maryland.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $47,420
- 25th percentile
- $63,880
- Median
- $92,460
- 75th percentile
- $127,180
- Top 10%
- $170,640
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 36,850 jobs.
Median pay in 38 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $138,950 | +50% | $54,920 | $222,280 | 450 |
| 2 | Tennessee | $132,710 | +44% | $60,270 | $215,470 | 940 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $117,160 | +27% | $60,480 | $206,860 | 6,830 |
| 4 | Texas | $111,390 | +20% | $64,850 | $170,800 | 3,400 |
| 5 | California | $110,090 | +19% | $56,060 | $348,100 | 2,420 |
| 6 | New York | $104,800 | +13% | $54,850 | $165,360 | 1,930 |
| 7 | Mississippi | $104,220 | +13% | $47,030 | $186,020 | 570 |
| 8 | Washington | $103,730 | +12% | $57,350 | $153,330 | 1,560 |
| 9 | Iowa | $97,700 | +6% | $46,220 | $121,760 | 80 |
| 10 | Oregon | $97,050 | +5% | $52,880 | $138,000 | 350 |
| 11 | Indiana | $92,000 | 0% | $59,220 | $212,820 | 1,010 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $90,310 | −2% | $50,420 | $156,790 | 510 |
| 13 | Alaska | $88,230 | −5% | $42,360 | $149,370 | 710 |
| 14 | Virginia | $87,610 | −5% | $54,560 | $132,160 | 2,270 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $85,290 | −8% | $39,250 | $120,320 | 110 |
| 16 | Missouri | $83,670 | −10% | $31,960 | $158,510 | 420 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $80,920 | −12% | $37,770 | $134,680 | 110 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | $79,110 | −14% | $55,440 | $111,570 | 30 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $77,950 | −16% | $50,960 | $127,720 | 650 |
| 20 | Georgia | $77,090 | −17% | $38,640 | $121,570 | 220 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $76,790 | −17% | $39,360 | $163,510 | 250 |
| 22 | Florida | $76,040 | −18% | $36,240 | $136,120 | 5,040 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $75,870 | −18% | $47,530 | $165,110 | 70 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $75,810 | −18% | $48,380 | $151,800 | 380 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $74,390 | −20% | $36,360 | $132,080 | 170 |
| 26 | Delaware | $73,280 | −21% | $44,480 | $127,790 | 50 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $72,960 | −21% | $47,550 | $115,100 | 700 |
| 28 | Maine | $72,770 | −21% | $47,640 | $104,240 | 360 |
| 29 | Illinois | $69,600 | −25% | $48,210 | $125,050 | 900 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $69,170 | −25% | $43,040 | $105,880 | 490 |
| 31 | Alabama | $68,920 | −25% | $30,650 | $123,860 | 350 |
| 32 | Vermont | $64,020 | −31% | $31,800 | $120,140 | 40 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $61,420 | −34% | $36,710 | $127,060 | 580 |
| 34 | Arizona | $58,700 | −37% | $35,700 | $119,450 | 40 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $57,660 | −38% | $27,600 | $123,840 | 520 |
| 36 | Ohio | $56,070 | −39% | $37,530 | $99,090 | 420 |
| 37 | Michigan | $53,590 | −42% | $33,280 | $98,420 | 640 |
| 38 | Utah | $50,010 | −46% | $38,160 | $62,880 | Not published |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary questions
Which state pays captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels the most?
Maryland, with a median of $138,950 a year (+50% vs. the national median of $92,460). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels the least?
Utah, with a median of $50,010 a year (−46% vs. national).
Where do most captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels work?
Louisiana has the most jobs, about 6,830, with a median of $117,160.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.