As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tugboat Captain in the United States is $95,569 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, a Tugboat Captain's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Tugboat Captain Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $100,639 | $8,387 | $1,935 | $48 |
| Average | $95,569 | $7,964 | $1,838 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,443 | $7,620 | $1,759 | $44 |
A Tugboat Captain's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Tugboat Captain's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Technical... Level Tugboat Captain | $62,165 |
| Technical... Level Tugboat Captain | $77,591 |
| Tugboat C... Level Tugboat Captain | $96,429 |
| Technical... Level Tugboat Captain | $117,495 |
| Library T... Level Tugboat Captain | $131,537 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 10.06% |
| Technical Services | 2.37% |
| Computer Usage | 1.18% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Tugboat Captain's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Team Management | $116,595 | |
| Operations Management | $116,595 | |
| Coaching | $113,728 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tugboat Captains enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Tugboat Captain with a Associate's Degree is between $94,450 and $102,293).
| Typical Education for Tugboat Captain | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 100.0% |
| High School | 0.0% |
| Associates | 0.0% |
| Bachelors | 0.0% |
| Masters | 100.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Tugboat Captain's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $100,639 | $8,387 | $1,935 | $48 |
| Average | $95,569 | $7,964 | $1,838 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,443 | $7,620 | $1,759 | $44 |
Salaries for a Tugboat Captain can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $80,928 in 2023 to around $78,461 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Tugboat Captain salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $80,928 |
| 2024 | $79,554 |
| 2025 | $78,461 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Tugboat Captain roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.
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