Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $76,090 -11% vs national
Median hourly $36.58
10th percentile $36,900
90th percentile $129,500
Employed locally 380
National median $85,540

Compare Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary & buying power

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Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
in
Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,900
    25th
    $63,850
    50th (median)
    $76,090
    75th
    $98,720
    90th
    $129,500

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary vs area income 86% Median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary is 14% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area $160,320
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $116,620
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $116,130
    Lake Charles, LA $113,350
    Mississippi $112,670
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $110,810

    Nearby metros — Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $116,130
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $107,000
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $104,120
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $101,650
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $100,090
    St. Louis, MO-IL $96,330

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40,030
    Stockers and Order Fillers$37,940
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$62,430
    Light Truck Drivers$47,270
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,760
    Packers and Packagers, Hand$36,680

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Chicago, IL-IN is $36.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.03 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salaries?

    The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 11% below the national median of $85,540. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Chicago?

    Entry-level Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (10th percentile) earn around $36,900 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,850.