Research Summary. In a comprehensive analysis conducted by the Zippia data science team, we have outlined the salary landscape for captains across various states in the United States as of 2026:
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California offers the highest captain salary at $57,525.
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Maine has the lowest captain salary, which is $42,501.
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The national average salary for captains stands at $52,161.
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The national hourly wage for captains is $25.08.
For further details, you can explore our methodology.
Background
Surveys consistently show that salary remains the paramount factor for job seekers across demographics, particularly for those asking, “How much do captains earn where I live?”
While numerous factors influence your specific earning potential, we have compiled robust data on average salaries for captains by state, categorized by seniority level. Although local variances may exist, these averages provide a useful benchmark for your salary expectations.
The state with the most lucrative salary for captains after adjustments is California.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for captain salaries:
Now, let’s delve into the details and present a full ranking of all the states.
Highest-Paid Captains By State
| Rank | State | Average Captain Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $57,525 | $34,000 | $95,000 |
| 2 | Delaware | $57,410 | $33,000 | $97,000 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $56,926 | $47,000 | $68,000 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $56,850 | $33,000 | $96,000 |
| 5 | Maryland | $56,802 | $33,000 | $96,000 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $56,723 | $33,000 | $95,000 |
| 7 | Virginia | $56,090 | $32,000 | $96,000 |
| 8 | New York | $56,065 | $33,000 | $94,000 |
| 9 | Nevada | $54,621 | $33,000 | $89,000 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $54,365 | $32,000 | $91,000 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $54,014 | $31,000 | $92,000 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $53,528 | $31,000 | $90,000 |
| 13 | Arizona | $53,336 | $33,000 | $85,000 |
| 14 | Ohio | $53,228 | $31,000 | $90,000 |
| 15 | Michigan | $52,920 | $31,000 | $89,000 |
| 16 | Oregon | $52,904 | $32,000 | $86,000 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $52,306 | $31,000 | $87,000 |
| 18 | Alaska | $51,450 | $35,000 | $74,000 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $51,429 | $30,000 | $86,000 |
| 20 | South Carolina | $51,396 | $30,000 | $85,000 |
| 21 | Indiana | $51,205 | $30,000 | $86,000 |
| 22 | Washington | $51,164 | $31,000 | $82,000 |
| 23 | Texas | $51,156 | $31,000 | $82,000 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $51,116 | $31,000 | $82,000 |
| 25 | Florida | $50,692 | $32,000 | $78,000 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $50,620 | $30,000 | $85,000 |
| 27 | Illinois | $50,608 | $29,000 | $85,000 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $50,552 | $30,000 | $83,000 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $50,311 | $31,000 | $81,000 |
| 30 | Georgia | $50,246 | $30,000 | $82,000 |
| 31 | Alabama | $49,835 | $30,000 | $81,000 |
| 32 | Massachusetts | $49,781 | $29,000 | $83,000 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $49,576 | $30,000 | $80,000 |
| 34 | Minnesota | $49,271 | $29,000 | $81,000 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $49,119 | $30,000 | $79,000 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $49,002 | $30,000 | $78,000 |
| 37 | Missouri | $48,845 | $29,000 | $80,000 |
| 38 | Iowa | $48,632 | $29,000 | $81,000 |
| 39 | Utah | $48,521 | $30,000 | $76,000 |
| 40 | Idaho | $48,511 | $30,000 | $77,000 |
| 41 | Kansas | $48,273 | $29,000 | $78,000 |
| 42 | North Dakota | $47,913 | $29,000 | $77,000 |
| 43 | Colorado | $47,637 | $30,000 | $75,000 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $47,326 | $28,000 | $77,000 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $47,200 | $28,000 | $77,000 |
| 46 | New Hampshire | $47,175 | $28,000 | $79,000 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $46,730 | $29,000 | $73,000 |
| 48 | Montana | $46,515 | $29,000 | $73,000 |
| 49 | Vermont | $44,312 | $26,000 | $74,000 |
| 50 | Maine | $42,501 | $25,000 | $70,000 |
Methodology: Captain Salary By State
To analyze captain salaries by state, Zippia has gathered data from various sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. We enhance this data with actual salary listings from job postings. The data science team then computes a weighted average to determine the average pay for captains in each state.
We ranked every state based on the average annual salary data for captains, positioning the state with the highest salary at the top of the list.
Captain Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for captains?
The highest-paid state for captains is California, with an average salary of $57,525 per year.
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What city pays captains the most?
San Francisco, CA offers the highest salaries for captains, averaging $59,421 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for captains?
The lowest-paying state for captains is Maine, with an average salary of $42,501 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
