Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $102,770 +20.1% vs national
Median hourly $49.41
10th percentile $58,120
90th percentile $186,880
Employed locally 1,820
National median $85,540

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

Type a city below to see how New Orleans, LA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
in
New Orleans, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,120
    25th
    $79,870
    50th (median)
    $102,770
    75th
    $159,140
    90th
    $186,880

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary vs area income 165% Median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary is 65% above 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
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $116,620
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $116,130
    Lake Charles, LA $113,350
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $110,810
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $104,120
    Baton Rouge, LA $102,820

    Related occupations in New Orleans, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $35,250
    Stockers and Order Fillers $33,850
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $52,000
    Light Truck Drivers $40,570
    Sailors and Marine Oilers $39,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $63,320

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in New Orleans, LA is $49.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $81.96 or more per hour.

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

    The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in New Orleans, LA is 20.1% above 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 New Orleans?

    Entry-level Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (10th percentile) earn around $58,120 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,870.