Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the median pay for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $63.80 an hour ($132,710 a year). About 940 people work in this job there.

$63.80Median hourly pay
$76,420–$165,700Middle half of workers, yearly
940People in this job in Tennessee

That is 44% higher than the U.S. median ($92,460). Tennessee ranks 2nd of 38 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Tennessee

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$28.98$60,270
25% of workers$36.74$76,420
Half of workers (median)$63.80$132,710
75% of workers$79.66$165,700
90% of workers$103.59$215,470

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay in Tennessee metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chattanooga$80,79030

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee

JobMedian yearly pay
Commercial Pilots$117,480
Sailors and Marine Oilers$60,580
Locomotive Engineers$81,410

Other job titles for this job

OfficerAble Bodied SeamanAble Bodied TankermanAb TankermanArea Relief PilotBar PilotBarge CaptainBarge MasterBarge MateBarge PilotBoat CaptainBoat Master

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Source: 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.