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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$76,790
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#21 of 38
250 employed here

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

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels working in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $76,790 per year, or about $36.92 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $92,460 for this occupation.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $39,360 while the top 10% make $163,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,200 and $103,290 a year.

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,360$18.92
25th percentile (early career)$56,200$27.02
50th percentile (median)$76,790$36.92
75th percentile (experienced)$103,290$49.66
90th percentile (top earners)$163,510$78.61

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 21st 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($76,790) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Rhode Island is $76,790 per year, or about $36.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,360 at the entry level to $163,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 17% less than the national median of $92,460. Rhode Island ranks 21st out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $76,790 a year. About 250 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.