This page captures the Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels labor market inside Kentucky using BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state estimates from the May 2025 release. Median annual pay lands at N/A, while the state employs roughly 1,060 workers in this SOC code (53-5021).

Within Kentucky, the full pay distribution is wider than the median alone suggests. Full percentile-band data is not published for this occupation-state combination, typically because the state's employment count falls below BLS reporting thresholds for detailed breakdowns. These bands reflect differences in years of experience, credential level, employer size, and whether the role sits in a public, private, or nonprofit setting — not just raw negotiating leverage.

Use this state-level view as one layer in your research stack, not the full picture. Drill into the specific metro area within Kentucky where you plan to work — metros inside the same state can vary by 20-40% in median pay depending on whether a specialized employer cluster sits there (think tech in Austin versus Houston, or finance in Charlotte versus Asheville). Pair the wage here with state-specific cost of living (rent, taxes, energy, groceries) to see how far the paycheck actually goes. And remember that BLS wage data excludes health benefits, retirement contributions, overtime, stock compensation, and bonuses that can represent 20-40% of total compensation — especially for roles where Kentucky-based employers compete for scarce talent.