As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for an Captain in the United States is $144,900. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $131,000 to $165,000, with most professionals earning between $118,345 and $183,300.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $165,000 | $13,750 | $3,173 | $79 |
| Average | $144,900 | $12,075 | $2,787 | $70 |
| 25th Percentile | $131,000 | $10,917 | $2,519 | $63 |
An entry-level Captain with less than 1 year of experience earns about $138,676. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $139,713. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $141,788. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $144,900, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $152,400.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Captain | $138,676 |
| Intermediate Level Captain | $139,713 |
| Senior Level Captain | $141,788 |
| Specialist Level Captain | $144,900 |
| Expert Level Captain | $152,400 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 0% |
| Experienced | 5% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Captain compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $123,290 in 2023 to approximately $119,344 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Captain salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Captain information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Captain job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Captain and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $144,900 | 72.8% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $11,085 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $6,086 | 3.1% | ||
| Disability | $2,898 | 1.5% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 4.2% | ||
| Pension | $7,825 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $17,834 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $198,979 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 15.7% |
| Associates | 9.8% |
| Bachelors | 60.8% |
| Masters | 11.8% |
| Doctorate | 2.0% |
What Am I Worth?
A U.S. captain's salary varies significantly, with a minimum of $146,700, a mid-range of $168,500, and a maximum of $203,800. This reflects the higher compensation levels for captains compared to the average yearly pay of $78,580 reported for U.S. Army captains in California, which aligns with the national average.
The highest paying captain job is a Ship Captain, with a salary range typically between $146,700 and $203,800 per year. Other roles like Boat Pilot and Tugboat Captain also offer competitive salaries, but the Ship Captain position stands out for its earning potential, reflecting the responsibilities and expertise required in this role.
Captain America's salary data indicates a minimum of $146,700, a mid-range of $168,500, and a maximum of $203,800. While Chris Evans reportedly earned $15 million for Captain America: Civil War, this figure is significantly higher than the typical salary range for the role.
A Disney cruise captain earns a salary ranging from $146,700 to $203,800, with a mid-point salary of $168,500. This reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities required for the role, significantly higher than the average hourly pay mentioned.
The salary range for a Captain is approximately $146,700 to $203,800 per year. The mid-salary is around $168,500. This reflects the base salary without including additional pay, which may vary based on experience and other factors.
To qualify as a captain, one must possess strong leadership, management, and communication skills to effectively oversee staff and engage with passengers. Essential knowledge includes navigation, logistics, and maritime safety regulations. The role offers a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $146,700, a mid-point of $168,500, and a maximum of $203,800.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
