Estimate · based on BLS national data

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Kentucky

$86,088 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$41.39 per hour

▼ 17.0% below U.S. average33rd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$86,088per year
Median$76,742per year
Hourly$41.39per hour
10th – 90th percentile$44,473 – $130,301per year

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,473
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$64,927
  • 50th Percentile — Median$76,742
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$110,949
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$130,301

Half of Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Kentucky earn more than $76,742. The top 10% make $130,301 or more, while entry-level workers start around $44,473.

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • Kentucky ranks 33rd of 51 states for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels pay, at $86,088 per year (17.0% below the U.S. average of $103,720).
  • 1,060 people work as Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Kentucky — 2.9% of all U.S. Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs.
  • Location quotient 2.23: Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,473; the top 10% earn over $130,301.
  • Hourly equivalent: $41.39 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $157,654.
  • Among transportation jobs in Kentucky, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($302,340).

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels here earn $86,088 on average, placing the state 33rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $86,088 is roughly equivalent to $103,720 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($88,162), West Virginia ($87,950), Oklahoma ($87,230) are the closest alternatives for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Kentucky?

The average Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Kentucky is $86,088 per year (median $76,742), which is 17.0% below the national average of $103,720.

How does Kentucky rank for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels pay?

Kentucky ranks 33rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($157,654/yr).

How much do entry-level Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels make in Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Kentucky earn about $44,473 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,927.

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

About $41.39 per hour, based on the $86,088 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 1,060 Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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