Iowa Median
$97,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#9 of 38
80 employed here
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in Iowa?
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Iowa take home a median of $97,700 annually — roughly $46.97 an hour — which runs 6% above the national median of $92,460.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $46,220 while the top 10% make $121,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,190 and $105,670 a year.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,220 | $22.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,190 | $29.90 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $97,700 | $46.97 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $105,670 | $50.80 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,760 | $58.54 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 9th 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 $103,730Oregon $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 $72,770Illinois $69,600North 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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($97,700) 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 Iowa?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Iowa is $97,700 per year, or about $46.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,220 at the entry level to $121,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 6% more than the national median of $92,460. Iowa ranks 9th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $97,700 a year. About 80 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.