EN

Occupation · SOC 53-5021

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

There are 36,850 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $92,460 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

TransportationTypical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
36,850
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$92,460
Median pay a year
Middle half: $63,880–$127,180
3,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +4%
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 76 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $118,830 · LCA filings 02,550$118,8300
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $106,230 · LCA filings 02,060$106,2300
Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NCMedian pay $86,940 · LCA filings 02,050$86,9400
Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux, LAMedian pay $103,780 · LCA filings 02,040$103,7800
New Orleans–Metairie, LAMedian pay $121,710 · LCA filings 01,940$121,7100
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $78,280 · LCA filings 01,710$78,2800
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $113,260 · LCA filings 01,210$113,2600
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $109,080 · LCA filings 01,140$109,0800
Baton Rouge, LAMedian pay $129,260 · LCA filings 0900$129,2600
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INMedian pay $130,380 · LCA filings 0800$130,3800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INEmployment 800 · LCA filings 0$130,3808000
Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 900 · LCA filings 0$129,2609000
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 440 · LCA filings 0$124,6104400
New Orleans–Metairie, LAEmployment 1,940 · LCA filings 0$121,7101,9400
Slidell–Mandeville–Covington, LAEmployment 580 · LCA filings 0$120,8105800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $92,810 · Level III $116,418 · Level IV $140,046$69,181$92,810$116,418$140,046
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $88,275 · Level III $110,614 · Level IV $132,933$65,957$88,275$110,614$132,933
Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NCLevel II $74,152 · Level III $92,186 · Level IV $110,219$56,118$74,152$92,186$110,219
Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux, LALevel II $85,925 · Level III $111,613 · Level IV $137,301$60,237$85,925$111,613$137,301
New Orleans–Metairie, LALevel II $93,413 · Level III $118,186 · Level IV $142,979$68,619$93,413$118,186$142,979
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $67,267 · Level III $86,757 · Level IV $106,226$47,798$67,267$86,757$106,226
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $104,582 · Level III $143,728 · Level IV $182,894$65,416$104,582$143,728$182,894
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $88,816 · Level III $108,846 · Level IV $128,898$68,765$88,816$108,846$128,898
Baton Rouge, LALevel II $115,419 · Level III $149,635 · Level IV $183,830$81,224$115,419$149,635$183,830
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INLevel II $96,699 · Level III $127,442 · Level IV $158,163$65,978$96,699$127,442$158,163

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Marine TransportationCIP 49.03OPT · up to 12 months13OPT · up to 12 months

See Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in every metro area

All 76 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Transportation

Stockers and Order FillersLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversLight Truck DriversIndustrial Truck and Tractor OperatorsPackers and Packagers, HandBus Drivers, SchoolFirst-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology