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Captain: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$92,460median pay per year, or $44.45 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $47,420lowest 10% earn less
  2. $63,88025th percentile
  3. $92,460median
  4. $127,18075th percentile
  5. $170,640top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

The median captain, mate or pilot of a water vessel earned $92,460 a year in May 2025, well above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Getting there typically takes Coast Guard approved training and years of time on the water[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4%[6]
Openings per year
3,800[7]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[8]

How much do captains make?

The official BLS category is Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels. In May 2025, the median wage was $92,460 a year, or $44.45 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $103,720 a year, or $49.87 an hour[9]. The median for all occupations was $50,980, so this median sits well above it[1][2].

Pay spread widely[5]:

Point in the range Annual wage Source
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[5] $47,420
Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[5] $63,880
Median[1] $92,460
Highest-paid 25% earned more than[5] $127,180
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[5] $170,640

Per hour, the 10th percentile was $22.80 and the 90th percentile was $82.04[10]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[11].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out self-employed people and do not count bonuses outside regular production pay or the cost of benefits[12]. About 36,850 people held such jobs in May 2025[13]. BLS reports that 8.2% of workers were self-employed in 2025[14].

Pay by state and city

Maryland had the top state median at $138,950, followed by Tennessee at $132,710 and Louisiana at $117,160[15]. Utah had the lowest published state median at $50,010[15].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN came first at $130,380, then Baton Rouge, LA at $129,260 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $124,610[16].

The most jobs were in Louisiana (6,830), Florida (5,040) and Texas (3,400)[17]. The metro areas with the most jobs were Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (2,550), New York-Newark-Jersey City (2,060) and Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (2,050)[18].

Show median pay in 38 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Maryland[15]$138,950450
Tennessee$132,710940
Louisiana$117,1606,830
Texas$111,3903,400
California$110,0902,420
New York$104,8001,930
Mississippi$104,220570
Washington$103,7301,560
Iowa$97,70080
Oregon$97,050350
Indiana$92,0001,010
New Jersey$90,310510
Alaska$88,230710
Virginia$87,6102,270
West Virginia$85,290110
Missouri$83,670420
Minnesota$80,920110
Oklahoma$79,11030
Massachusetts$77,950650
Georgia$77,090220
Rhode Island$76,790250
Florida$76,0405,040
New Hampshire$75,87070
Connecticut$75,810380
Wisconsin$74,390170
Delaware$73,28050
Hawaii$72,960700
Maine$72,770360
Illinois$69,600900
North Carolina$69,170490
Alabama$68,920350
Vermont$64,02040
Pennsylvania$61,420580
Arizona$58,70040
South Carolina$57,660520
Ohio$56,070420
Michigan$53,590640
Utah$50,010n/a

How to become a captain

The typical path calls for a postsecondary nondegree award and less than 5 years of related experience, with no on-the-job training[8]. The details below come from a BLS profile covering a wider group of water transportation workers, including sailors and engineers[19].

Some employers may prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree from a maritime academy[21]. Some workers enter through an apprenticeship, which can last several years and combines instruction with paid training aboard a vessel[22]. Academy graduates and apprentices gain part of the required experience during their programs[23].

O*NET says this occupation requires a license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard[24]. Requirements for many workers may include a security or drug screening, approved training and written and physical exams. Workers in some jobs, such as maritime pilots, may also need a state license[25]. Mariners on ocean-going ships need verified training for the STCW endorsement[26].

In an O*NET survey of 83 workers, 42% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, 37% said a post-secondary certificate, 8% a bachelor's degree and 5% some college courses[27].

What captains, mates and pilots do

O*NET describes the job as commanding or supervising the operation of ships and vessels such as tugboats and ferryboats[24]. Common tasks include[28]:

Workers report job titles such as ferry boat captain, first mate, harbor pilot and river pilot[29]. Officers and pilots who steer ships need to work the controls while staying aware of their surroundings[30].

Where they work

In the wider BLS group, workers usually spend long periods aboard ships and away from home, and may face all kinds of weather[31]. Most vessels have comfortable living quarters, and meals may be provided[32]. Inland water transportation was the largest employer of water transportation workers in 2025, at 24%[33].

In the wider group, most workers are full time and many work more than 40 hours a week[34]. Crews on barges or deep-sea ships can be away from home for weeks or months and may work 7 days a week on board[34]. Motorboat operators may work day shifts and go home each night[34]. Some work is seasonal. Crews on the Great Lakes often stop in winter, and ferry operators at vacation spots may work only in summer[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 41,300 to 42,900 jobs[6]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[36]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the OEWS count[6].

BLS expects about 3,800 openings a year on average[7]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year, 3.6% of workers leave the labor force and 5.1% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with a median well above the all-occupations median and a wide range from the lowest to the highest paid[1][2][5]. The way in takes approved training, Coast Guard credentials and several years of sea time[3][4]. Growth is slightly above the all-occupations rate[6][36]. Schedules can mean long stretches away from home, or seasonal gaps, depending on the vessel[34][35].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a captain make an hour?
The median was $44.45 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $22.80 and the 90th percentile was $82.04[10].
Do you need a license to be a boat captain?
O*NET says workers in this occupation must hold a license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard[24].
Is captain a growing job?
BLS projects 4% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[6][36]. About 3,800 openings a year are expected[7].
What is the highest paying state for captains?
Maryland, with a median of $138,950[15].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in the US was $92,460 per year and $44.45 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels: 10th percentile $47,420, 25th percentile $63,880, 75th percentile $127,180, 90th percentile $170,640. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 41,300 to 42,900 jobs (a change of +1,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,800 openings for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels was $103,720 per year and $49.87 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels: 10th percentile $22.80, 25th percentile $30.71, 75th percentile $61.14, 90th percentile $82.04. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 36,850 people were employed as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS Employment Projections: 8.2% of Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  15. Median annual wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (areas with at least 100 jobs): Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $130,380; Baton Rouge, LA $129,260; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $124,610; New Orleans-Metairie, LA $121,710; Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $120,810; Lake Charles, LA $119,630; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $118,830; Lafayette, LA $116,200. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs: Louisiana 6,830; Florida 5,040; Texas 3,400; California 2,420; Virginia 2,270. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 2,550 (median $118,830); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,060 (median $106,230); Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC 2,050 (median $86,940); Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA 2,040 (median $103,780); New Orleans-Metairie, LA 1,940 (median $121,710); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,710 (median $78,280). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  19. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Water Transportation Workers" covers Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET 53-5021.00 survey of workers (83 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 42%, Post-Secondary Certificate 37%, Bachelor's Degree 8%, Some College Courses 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 53-5021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Boat Captain, Captain, Ferry Boat Captain, First Mate, Harbor Pilot, Mate, River Pilot, Ship Pilot. O*NET OnLine
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of water transportation workers in 2025: Inland water transportation 24%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels: 3.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.