Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Hourly Pay

Median hourly wage: $44.45

Hourly Wage Percentiles

PercentileHourly Wage
10th$22.80
25th$30.71
Median$44.45
75th$61.14
90th$82.04

Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make an hour?

The median hourly wage is $44.45; the mean hourly wage is $49.87.

What is the entry-level hourly pay for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $22.80 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.

What is the top hourly pay for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?

Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $82.04 per hour.