BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Tennessee

$132,020 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$63.47 per hour

▲ 27.3% above U.S. average2nd of 38 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$132,020per year
Median$132,710per year
Hourly$63.47per hour
10th – 90th percentile$60,270 – $215,470per year

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$60,270
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$76,420
  • 50th Percentile — Median$132,710
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$165,700
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$215,470

Half of Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Tennessee earn more than $132,710. The top 10% make $215,470 or more, while entry-level workers start around $60,270.

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

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 2nd of 38 states for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels pay, at $132,020 per year (27.3% above the U.S. average of $103,720).
  • 940 people work as Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Tennessee — 2.6% of all U.S. Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.20: Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $60,270; the top 10% earn over $215,470.
  • Hourly equivalent: $63.47 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Maryland at $143,980.
  • Among transportation jobs in Tennessee, Air Traffic Controllers pays the most ($149,020).

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels here earn $132,020 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $132,020 is roughly equivalent to $150,023 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($143,980), California ($129,580), Louisiana ($119,980) 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 Tennessee?

The average Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Tennessee is $132,020 per year (median $132,710), which is 27.3% above the national average of $103,720.

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

Tennessee ranks 2nd out of 38 states. The highest-paying state is Maryland ($143,980/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in Tennessee earn about $60,270 per year and the 25th percentile is $76,420.

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

About $63.47 per hour, based on the $132,020 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

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

BLS counts 940 Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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