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🚢 How much does a ship captain make?

About 80% of U.S. water-vessel captains, mates and pilots earn $47,420–$170,640 yearly; the middle earns $92,460, and the top 10% make at least about $170,640.

Pay varies with ship size, route, employer, and rank; Japan's ¥4.701 million figure is for a broad ship-crew category, not captains alone.

US Most people, typical, the top

Ship captain — US
Who	Yearly earnings	Based on
Lower-paid workers (10th percentile)	$47,420	BLS OEWS May 2025 10th percentile, republished by USWages
Typical worker (median)	$92,460	BLS OEWS May 2025 median
Top earners (90th-percentile mark)	$170,640	BLS OEWS May 2025 90th percentile, republished by USWages

Per month and per day

Ship captain — US
Who	Per month	Per day (÷365)
Lower-paid workers (10th percentile)	$3,952	$130
Typical worker (median)	$7,705	$253
Top earners (90th-percentile mark)	$14,220	$468

Where does the money come from?

Regular wages: Employers, including shipping companies and public ferry services, pay captains for their work. Source
Overtime pay: The Washington State Ferries contract pays overtime at one and a half times the regular rate when its rules apply. Source
Travel reimbursement: The Washington State Ferries contract provides travel-time pay or mileage reimbursement in specified cases. Source

How do you become a ship captain?

In the United States, complete a maritime academy deck program or an approved Coast Guard apprentice program to qualify for third mate; documented sea service is another route. Build experience at sea, become chief mate, and apply for a master endorsement after meeting its service and Coast Guard requirements.

Apply for a TWIC and gather sea-service, medical, and drug-test records.
Meet Coast Guard requirements and pass any required exam to qualify as a third mate.

A day as a ship captain

Before departure, a U.S. captain checks charts, weather, and tides, chooses a route, and directs the crew. The captain watches over cargo or passenger safety and records the ship’s position and conditions. Deep-sea crews may be away from home for weeks.

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Who earns more?

Common questions

What is typical pay in water transportation?

For May 2025, the U.S. BLS reports typical yearly pay of $101,400 for captains, mates, and pilots working in the water transportation industry. Source

How does overtime pay work for ferry captains?

The Washington State Ferries agreement pays overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate when overtime applies under that contract; this is not a rule for every U.S. captain. Source

Are work travel costs reimbursed?

Under the Washington State Ferries contract, travel time or mileage may be paid in specified situations, such as certain moves to another route or terminal. This is not a benefit guaranteed to all U.S. captains. Source

Can a deep-sea captain be away for weeks?

Yes. Crews on barges or deep-sea ships may spend weeks or months away from home and work aboard for long stretches. Source

What does a captain do besides steering?

A captain does more than steer: captains direct a vessel, oversee the crew and the safety of cargo or passengers, and keep records of the ship’s movements. Source

This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.

Close jobs in official statistics

In Japan

Japan Most people, typical, the top

Ship captain — Japan
Who	Yearly earnings	Based on
Average for the broad Japanese ship-crew category—not captains alone	$31,340	MHLW job-tag wage average, 2025

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Data table and sources