Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels play crucial roles in navigation, operation, and safety. Captains oversee all operations, while mates manage day-to-day activities. Pilots guide vessels through challenging waters, requiring expertise in local navigation. Together, they ensure safe and efficient passage, upholding maritime laws and traditions.
This article will explore the best states for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. Louisiana ($124,510)
- 2. Maryland ($121,620)
- 3. Texas ($121,510)
- 4. Tennessee ($120,410)
- 5. Mississippi ($117,930)
- 6. West Virginia ($111,800)
- 7. Illinois ($110,480)
- 8. California ($108,620)
- 9. Washington ($104,570)
- 10. Alaska ($102,730)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels are in Louisiana, where they earn an average of $124,510 per year.
- The lowest-paid captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels are in Indiana, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $80,654 per year.
1. Louisiana ($124,510)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Louisiana earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Louisiana is
$124,510, which is +54% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $124,510 |
| 10th Percentile | $52,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,230 |
| 90th Percentile | $172,170 |
2. Maryland ($121,620)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Maryland earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Maryland is
$121,620, which is +51% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $121,620 |
| 10th Percentile | $50,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $170,930 |
3. Texas ($121,510)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Texas earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Texas is
$121,510, which is +51% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $121,510 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $159,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $236,190 |
4. Tennessee ($120,410)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Tennessee earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Tennessee is
$120,410, which is +49% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $120,410 |
| 10th Percentile | $46,860 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $154,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,390 |
5. Mississippi ($117,930)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Mississippi earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Mississippi is
$117,930, which is +46% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $117,930 |
| 10th Percentile | $65,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $154,070 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,930 |
6. West Virginia ($111,800)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in West Virginia earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in West Virginia is
$111,800, which is +39% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $111,800 |
| 10th Percentile | $51,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $167,920 |
7. Illinois ($110,480)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Illinois earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Illinois is
$110,480, which is +37% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $110,480 |
| 10th Percentile | $55,380 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,220 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,840 |
8. California ($108,620)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in California earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in California is
$108,620, which is +35% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $108,620 |
| 10th Percentile | $60,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,650 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,290 |
9. Washington ($104,570)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Washington earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Washington is
$104,570, which is +30% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $104,570 |
| 10th Percentile | $59,680 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,490 |
10. Alaska ($102,730)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Alaska earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Alaska is
$102,730, which is +27% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $102,730 |
| 10th Percentile | $61,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,930 |
| 90th Percentile | $133,290 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels are in Louisiana, where they earn an average of $124,510 per year. The lowest-paid captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels are in Indiana, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $80,654 per year and there are 35,098 jobs in the field.
