How much does a ship pilot make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $7,705 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $6,133
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 1.7 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 143 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $200,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $105,000 |
| 2. United States | $92,460 |
| 3. Iceland estimate | $85,340 |
| 143. Malawi estimate | $456 |
Similar jobs
Technicians and associate professionals
- Chief engineer$109,500
- Airline pilot$197,800
- Air traffic controller$148,100
- Air traffic safety technician$78,190
- Wind technician$60,890
- Technical aide$70,790
- Electrical technician$77,140
- Electronics engineering technician$78,190
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Maryland | $139,000 |
| Tennessee | $132,700 |
| Louisiana | $117,200 |
| Texas | $111,400 |
| California | $110,100 |
| New York | $104,800 |
| Mississippi | $104,200 |
| Washington | $103,700 |
| Iowa | $97,700 |
| Oregon | $97,050 |
See all 38 states
| Indiana | $92,000 |
| New Jersey | $90,310 |
| Alaska | $88,230 |
| Virginia | $87,610 |
| West Virginia | $85,290 |
| Missouri | $83,670 |
| Minnesota | $80,920 |
| Oklahoma | $79,110 |
| Massachusetts | $77,950 |
| Georgia | $77,090 |
| Rhode Island | $76,790 |
| Florida | $76,040 |
| New Hampshire | $75,870 |
| Connecticut | $75,810 |
| Wisconsin | $74,390 |
| Delaware | $73,280 |
| Hawaii | $72,960 |
| Maine | $72,770 |
| Illinois | $69,600 |
| North Carolina | $69,170 |
| Alabama | $68,920 |
| Vermont | $64,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,420 |
| Arizona | $58,700 |
| South Carolina | $57,660 |
| Ohio | $56,070 |
| Michigan | $53,590 |
| Utah | $50,010 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ship pilot make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $7,705 a month, $92,460 a year.
How much does a ship pilot make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $47,420 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $170,600.
Which country pays a ship pilot the most?
United States, with a median of $92,460 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a ship pilot the most?
Maryland, with a median of $139,000 a year.
Does a ship pilot make more in the United States or in Germany?
In the United States: $92,460 a year against $70,650 in Germany, 1.3 times more.
Who makes more, a ship pilot or a chief engineer?
A chief engineer: $109,500 a year against $92,460 for a ship pilot, 1.2 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate