Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Alabama (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Alabama, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alabama Median
$68,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#31 of 38
350 employed here

How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in Alabama?

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Alabama take home a median of $68,920 annually — roughly $33.13 an hour — which runs 25% below the national median of $92,460.

Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $30,650 while the top 10% make $123,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,500 and $102,410 a year.

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in Alabama

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$30,650$14.74
25th percentile (early career)$45,500$21.88
50th percentile (median)$68,920$33.13
75th percentile (experienced)$102,410$49.24
90th percentile (top earners)$123,860$59.55

How Alabama compares

Alabama ranks 31st out of 38 states and territories for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$138,950
2Tennessee$132,710
3Louisiana$117,160
4Texas$111,390
5California$110,090

Working as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Alabama

Nationally, about 37,000 people work as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($68,920) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in Alabama?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Alabama is $68,920 per year, or about $33.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,650 at the entry level to $123,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 25% less than the national median of $92,460. Alabama ranks 31st out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $68,920 a year. About 350 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.