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 $185 more (0.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$83,343
$83,157
Average (Mean) Salary
$91,347
$83,682
Total Employment
35,570
27,340
States with Higher Pay
13
14
Salary by State: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels vs Locomotive Engineers
Showing 27 states where both occupations have BLS data. Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pays more in 13 states; Locomotive Engineers pays more in 14.
| State | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | Locomotive Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $68,920 | $77,600 | $-8,680 | ||
| Arizona | $58,700 | $89,840 | $-31,140 | ||
| California | $110,090 | $77,070 | +$33,020 | ||
| Florida | $76,040 | $92,310 | $-16,270 | ||
| Illinois | $69,600 | $93,320 | $-23,720 | ||
| Indiana | $92,000 | $92,790 | $-790 | ||
| Iowa | $97,700 | $89,970 | +$7,730 | ||
| Louisiana | $117,160 | $64,200 | +$52,960 | ||
| Massachusetts | $77,950 | $108,790 | $-30,840 | ||
| Minnesota | $80,920 | $93,700 | $-12,780 | ||
| Mississippi | $104,220 | $96,710 | +$7,510 | ||
| Missouri | $83,670 | $78,820 | +$4,850 | ||
| New Hampshire | $75,870 | $70,670 | +$5,200 | ||
| New Jersey | $90,310 | $86,550 | +$3,760 | ||
| New York | $104,800 | $109,220 | $-4,420 | ||
| North Carolina | $69,170 | $61,190 | +$7,980 | ||
| Ohio | $56,070 | $63,280 | $-7,210 | ||
| Oklahoma | $79,110 | $91,970 | $-12,860 | ||
| Oregon | $97,050 | $79,130 | +$17,920 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $61,420 | $82,460 | $-21,040 | ||
| South Carolina | $57,660 | $89,290 | $-31,630 | ||
| Tennessee | $132,710 | $81,410 | +$51,300 | ||
| Texas | $111,390 | $79,000 | +$32,390 | ||
| Virginia | $87,610 | $90,780 | $-3,170 | ||
| Washington | $103,730 | $73,750 | +$29,980 | ||
| West Virginia | $85,290 | $64,400 | +$20,890 | ||
| Wisconsin | $74,390 | $84,550 | $-10,160 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels vs Locomotive Engineers 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 Locomotive Engineers?
On average across all states, a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earns more than a Locomotive Engineers. The national median salary difference is $185 (0.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earn more than a Locomotive Engineers?
A Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earns a higher median salary than a Locomotive Engineers in 13 out of 27 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Locomotive Engineers pays more in 14 states.
What is the median salary for a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels vs Locomotive Engineers?
The national median salary for a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels is $83,343 per year, compared to $83,157 for a Locomotive Engineers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels or Locomotive Engineers?
There are more people employed as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels. BLS reports approximately 35,570 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels positions and 27,340 Locomotive Engineers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels or Locomotive Engineers?
Both Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels and Locomotive Engineers 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.
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