How much does a captain make?
The median captain in the United States earns $85,540 per year, about $41.13 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all captains earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-5021.
Captain salary range
Pay for captains spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,260 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $164,230. The average (mean) wage of $97,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,260 | $22.24 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $60,800 | $29.23 | |
| Median (50th) | $85,540 | $41.13 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $124,530 | $59.87 | |
| 90th percentile | $164,230 | $78.96 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (SOC 53-5021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Captain salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Captains earn the most in Mississippi at $112,670 a year, and the least in Utah at $49,120. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $112,670 | 530 |
| Texas | $105,790 | 4,090 |
| Washington | $104,560 | 1,600 |
| New York | $103,510 | 2,080 |
| Louisiana | $103,430 | 6,310 |
| Iowa | $100,330 | 100 |
| Maryland | $95,210 | 460 |
| West Virginia | $95,170 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $91,880 | 840 |
| New Jersey | $91,700 | 880 |
| Arkansas | $89,340 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $83,920 | 90 |
| Virginia | $82,470 | 1,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,050 | 530 |
| Kentucky | $81,820 | 1,490 |
| Indiana | $81,510 | 810 |
| Alaska | $80,430 | 710 |
| Georgia | $80,180 | 200 |
| California | $79,560 | 1,970 |
| Missouri | $78,020 | 370 |
| Alabama | $76,400 | 410 |
| Illinois | $76,090 | 840 |
| Hawaii | $75,980 | 530 |
| Oregon | $75,590 | 480 |
| Michigan | $72,810 | 490 |
| Connecticut | $72,380 | 340 |
| Delaware | $71,700 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $67,690 | 560 |
| Rhode Island | $67,250 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $66,680 | 430 |
| New Hampshire | $66,560 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $64,610 | 150 |
| Florida | $63,540 | 4,360 |
| Vermont | $61,880 | 50 |
| Maine | $61,280 | 330 |
| South Carolina | $58,280 | 410 |
| Ohio | $52,000 | 310 |
| Utah | $49,120 | N/A |
State median wages for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (SOC 53-5021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for captains
The BLS projects employment of captains to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 41,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 42,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,800 openings a year for captains. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a captain
The typical entry-level education for captains is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a captain earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Mississippi, $112,670) and the lowest (Utah, $49,120) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 35,390 people work as captains in the United States. At $85,540 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Captain salary FAQ
How much does a captain make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a captain is $41.13. The middle half of captains earn between $29.23 and $59.87 per hour.
What is the highest captain salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of captains earn more than $164,230 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a captain make a year?
The median annual salary for a captain is $85,540. The average (mean) wage of $97,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a captain a well paid job?
At $85,540 a year, a captain earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 35,390 people work as captains in the United States.
Which state pays captains the most?
Mississippi has the highest median salary for captains at $112,670 a year. Texas ($105,790) and Washington ($104,560) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a captain a good career?
Employment of captains is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a captain?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for captains as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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