Salary guide
Ship Captain Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What ship captains earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median ship captain salary in the U.S. is $92,460 per year, or $44.45 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $47,420, while the top 10% earned more than $170,640.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Ship Captain pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,420 | $22.80 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $63,880 | $30.71 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $92,460 | $44.45 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $127,180 | $61.14 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $170,640 | $82.04 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $63,880 | $92,460 | $127,180 |
| Per month | $5,323 | $7,705 | $10,598 |
| Every two weeks | $2,457 | $3,556 | $4,892 |
| Per week | $1,228 | $1,778 | $2,446 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects ship captain pay
- Licenses and endorsements (CDL Class A, hazmat, tanker)
- Overtime and peak-season premium pay
- Long-haul versus local routes
- Equipment certifications and safety record
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a ship captain
- Get credentialed: USCG Master or Mate license, STCW certificates, TWIC.
- Build specialty experience: Officer.
- Move up: roles such as chief mate and master or pilot typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Ship Captain pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of ship captains to change by +4.0% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,800 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 53-5021 (“Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Ship Captain salary FAQ
How much does a ship captain make per hour?
The median hourly wage for ship captains was $44.45 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $22.80 and the top 10% earned about $82.04 or more.
How much does a ship captain make a month?
At the median annual wage of $92,460, that works out to about $7,705 per month before taxes, or about $3,556 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a ship captain?
New ship captains often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $47,420 and the 25th percentile was $63,880 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can ship captains earn more?
Common ways include earning USCG Master or Mate license and STCW certificates, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as chief mate.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-5021 (Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.