Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $33.46 an hour ($69,600 a year). About 900 people work in this job there.
That is 25% lower than the U.S. median ($92,460). Illinois ranks 29th of 38 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.18 | $48,210 |
| 25% of workers | $28.77 | $59,830 |
| Half of workers (median) | $33.46 | $69,600 |
| 75% of workers | $50.16 | $104,330 |
| 90% of workers | $60.12 | $125,050 |
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $76,530 | 440 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 3,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $293,490 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $93,320 |
| Commercial Pilots | $126,100 |
| Transportation Inspectors | $47,990 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,600 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.