Ship and Boat Captains and Operators

Occupation

$82,400
National Median Salary
$39.62
Median Hourly Wage
37,770
Total Employment

Salary Distribution

$43,560
$59,500
$82,400
$122,300
$161,690

10th percentile → 25th → Median → 75th → 90th percentile

Salary Trend (2014-2024)

+21.0%
10 Year Change
$68,080
2014 Median
$82,400
2024 Median
Best Paying Industries Industry Wage Growth Where This Career Pays Above Average

Note: State and industry pay breakdowns are available for more specific job titles. See detailed occupations below.

Top Paying Industries for Ship and Boat Captains and Operators

Industry Annual Median Employment
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods $156,000 310
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) $156,000 310
Support Activities for Mining $136,720 520
Construction of Buildings $114,560 40
Real Estate $110,440 —

View all 58 industries →

Detailed Ship and Boat Captains and Operators Occupations

These specific job titles have more detailed state and industry salary data:

Occupation Annual Median
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels $85,540
Motorboat Operators $51,880

Related Occupations

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers Air Traffic Controllers Commercial Pilots Air Transportation Workers

Explore Ship and Boat Captains and Operators by Industry

See how this career performs in specific industries

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) Support Activities for Mining Construction of Buildings Real Estate Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation Support Activities for Water Transportation Support Activities for Transportation Water Transportation Inland Water Transportation State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) Gambling Industries