Massachusetts Median
$77,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#19 of 38
650 employed here
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in Massachusetts?
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels working in Massachusetts earn a median salary of $77,950 per year, or about $37.48 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $92,460 for this occupation.
Within Massachusetts, entry-level pay starts around $50,960 while the top 10% make $127,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,160 and $101,940 a year.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,960 | $24.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,160 | $29.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,950 | $37.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $101,940 | $49.01 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,720 | $61.40 |
|
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts ranks 19th 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 $79,110Georgia $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 Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts pay ($77,950) 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 Massachusetts?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Massachusetts is $77,950 per year, or about $37.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,960 at the entry level to $127,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Massachusetts pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 16% less than the national median of $92,460. Massachusetts ranks 19th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Massachusetts a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $77,950 a year. About 650 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts?
The highest-paying occupations in Massachusetts include Radiologist ($426,560), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($392,300), Surgeon, All Other ($387,150), 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.