As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Ship Captain in the United States is $130,337 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Ship Captain's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Ship 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 Ship 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 |
|---|---|
| Informati... Level Ship Captain | $202,179 |
| Informati... Level Ship Captain | $93,761 |
| Ship Capt... Level Ship Captain | $129,756 |
| Informati... Level Ship Captain | $138,553 |
| Informati... Level Ship Captain | $169,086 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Ship Captains. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 7.96% |
| Telecommunications | 2.08% |
| Computer Hardware | 1.8% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Information Security
|
$139,461 |
7%
|
|
Consulting
|
$136,854 |
5%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$136,854 |
5%
|
|
Innovation
|
$136,854 |
5%
|
|
IT Operations
|
$136,854 |
5%
|
|
Disaster Recovery
|
$136,854 |
5%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Ship 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 Ship Captain with a Associate's Degree is between $116,520 and $125,625).
Ship Captain Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.8% |
| High School | 23.6% |
| Associates | 11.1% |
| Bachelors | 48.6% |
| Masters | 13.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Ship 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.
Last Updated on February 01, 2026Salaries for a Ship Captain can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $88,978 in 2023 to around $88,751 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Ship Captain salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $88,978 |
| 2024 | $89,854 |
| 2025 | $88,751 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Ship Captain and their salaries, click below for more details.
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