The median annual wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Kentucky is $81,820 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $103,310.
Pay spans roughly $49,410 at the 10th percentile to $162,600 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $39.34 per hour. An estimated 1,490 people work as captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Kentucky.
| Median (annual) | $81,820 |
| Mean (annual) | $103,310 |
| Median (hourly) | $39.34 |
| 10th percentile | $49,410 |
| 90th percentile | $162,600 |
| Employment | 1,490 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.