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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$83,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#16 of 38
420 employed here

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

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels working in Missouri earn a median salary of $83,670 per year, or about $40.23 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $92,460 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $31,960 while the top 10% make $158,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,710 and $114,230 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,960$15.37
25th percentile (early career)$45,710$21.98
50th percentile (median)$83,670$40.23
75th percentile (experienced)$114,230$54.92
90th percentile (top earners)$158,510$76.21

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 16th 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 Missouri

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 Missouri pay ($83,670) 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 Missouri?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Missouri is $83,670 per year, or about $40.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,960 at the entry level to $158,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 10% less than the national median of $92,460. Missouri ranks 16th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $83,670 a year. About 420 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.