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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Minnesota Median
$80,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#17 of 38
110 employed here

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

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels working in Minnesota earn a median salary of $80,920 per year, or about $38.90 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $92,460 for this occupation.

Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $37,770 while the top 10% make $134,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,020 and $111,700 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,770$18.16
25th percentile (early career)$57,020$27.41
50th percentile (median)$80,920$38.90
75th percentile (experienced)$111,700$53.70
90th percentile (top earners)$134,680$64.75

How Minnesota compares

Minnesota ranks 17th 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 Minnesota

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 Minnesota pay ($80,920) 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 Minnesota?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Minnesota is $80,920 per year, or about $38.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,770 at the entry level to $134,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 12% less than the national median of $92,460. Minnesota ranks 17th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,920 a year. About 110 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

Related salaries

Wellhead Pumper

$69,960
median pay · 18,000 employed

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

$78,000
median pay · 46,000 employed

Locomotive Engineer

$81,410
median pay · 33,000 employed

Subway and Streetcar Operators

$86,380
median pay · 10,000 employed
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.