Illinois Median
$69,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#29 of 38
900 employed here
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in Illinois?
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Illinois take home a median of $69,600 annually — roughly $33.46 an hour — which runs 25% below the national median of $92,460.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $48,210 while the top 10% make $125,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,830 and $104,330 a year.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,210 | $23.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,830 | $28.76 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,600 | $33.46 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,330 | $50.16 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,050 | $60.12 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 29th out of 38 states and territories for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in other states
Maryland $138,950Tennessee $132,710Louisiana $117,160Texas $111,390California $110,090New York $104,800Mississippi $104,220Washington $103,730Iowa $97,700Oregon $97,050Indiana $92,000New Jersey $90,310Alaska $88,230Virginia $87,610West Virginia $85,290Missouri $83,670Minnesota $80,920Oklahoma $79,110Massachusetts $77,950Georgia $77,090Rhode Island $76,790Florida $76,040New Hampshire $75,870Connecticut $75,810Wisconsin $74,390Delaware $73,280Hawaii $72,960Maine $72,770North Carolina $69,170Alabama $68,920Vermont $64,020Pennsylvania $61,420Arizona $58,700South Carolina $57,660Ohio $56,070Michigan $53,590Utah $50,010
Working as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($69,600) 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 Illinois?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Illinois is $69,600 per year, or about $33.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,210 at the entry level to $125,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 25% less than the national median of $92,460. Illinois ranks 29th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $69,600 a year. About 900 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in Illinois. 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 Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.