National Salary Overview
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Median Salary
$83,343
Average (Mean)
$91,347
Employed Nationwide
35,570
VS
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earns $10,642 more (14.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$83,343
$72,700
Average (Mean) Salary
$91,347
$74,668
Total Employment
35,570
41,870
States with Higher Pay
24
14
Salary by State: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels vs Crane and Tower Operators
Showing 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pays more in 24 states; Crane and Tower Operators pays more in 14.
| State | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | Crane and Tower Operators | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $68,920 | $60,790 | +$8,130 | ||
| Alaska | $88,230 | $92,490 | $-4,260 | ||
| Arizona | $58,700 | $67,350 | $-8,650 | ||
| California | $110,090 | $79,570 | +$30,520 | ||
| Connecticut | $75,810 | $81,360 | $-5,550 | ||
| Delaware | $73,280 | $60,160 | +$13,120 | ||
| Florida | $76,040 | $71,560 | +$4,480 | ||
| Georgia | $77,090 | $62,050 | +$15,040 | ||
| Hawaii | $72,960 | $124,260 | $-51,300 | ||
| Illinois | $69,600 | $61,820 | +$7,780 | ||
| Indiana | $92,000 | $52,950 | +$39,050 | ||
| Iowa | $97,700 | $67,600 | +$30,100 | ||
| Louisiana | $117,160 | $61,170 | +$55,990 | ||
| Maine | $72,770 | $65,690 | +$7,080 | ||
| Maryland | $138,950 | $87,950 | +$51,000 | ||
| Massachusetts | $77,950 | $98,150 | $-20,200 | ||
| Michigan | $53,590 | $59,740 | $-6,150 | ||
| Minnesota | $80,920 | $80,930 | $-10 | ||
| Mississippi | $104,220 | $61,260 | +$42,960 | ||
| Missouri | $83,670 | $58,450 | +$25,220 | ||
| New Hampshire | $75,870 | $63,310 | +$12,560 | ||
| New Jersey | $90,310 | $100,640 | $-10,330 | ||
| New York | $104,800 | $85,850 | +$18,950 | ||
| North Carolina | $69,170 | $64,480 | +$4,690 | ||
| Ohio | $56,070 | $57,620 | $-1,550 | ||
| Oklahoma | $79,110 | $63,590 | +$15,520 | ||
| Oregon | $97,050 | $83,260 | +$13,790 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $61,420 | $65,190 | $-3,770 | ||
| Rhode Island | $76,790 | $104,340 | $-27,550 | ||
| South Carolina | $57,660 | $64,120 | $-6,460 | ||
| Tennessee | $132,710 | $59,410 | +$73,300 | ||
| Texas | $111,390 | $73,280 | +$38,110 | ||
| Utah | $50,010 | $67,410 | $-17,400 | ||
| Vermont | $64,020 | $72,760 | $-8,740 | ||
| Virginia | $87,610 | $66,600 | +$21,010 | ||
| Washington | $103,730 | $101,110 | +$2,620 | ||
| West Virginia | $85,290 | $54,830 | +$30,460 | ||
| Wisconsin | $74,390 | $67,720 | +$6,670 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels vs Crane and Tower Operators salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels or Crane and Tower Operators?
On average across all states, a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earns more than a Crane and Tower Operators. The national median salary difference is $10,642 (14.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earn more than a Crane and Tower Operators?
A Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earns a higher median salary than a Crane and Tower Operators in 24 out of 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Crane and Tower Operators pays more in 14 states.
What is the median salary for a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels vs Crane and Tower Operators?
The national median salary for a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels is $83,343 per year, compared to $72,700 for a Crane and Tower Operators, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels or Crane and Tower Operators?
There are more people employed as Crane and Tower Operators. BLS reports approximately 35,570 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels positions and 41,870 Crane and Tower Operators positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels or Crane and Tower Operators?
Both Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels and Crane and Tower Operators are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.