Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Remember that pilots ALSO have to pay their own taxes (both halves of FICA/SS), health insurance, and fund their retirements from that amount of $. Further, Great Lakes Pilots were GROSSLY underpaid for decades. Their target is close to what coastal groups make now (finally). Their mandate is safety; first and always. Their service is underappreciated in the Maritime world but is vitally important.

No, I am not a current pilot and have no vested interest beyond wanting a safe marine transportation system.

[quote=Guest post_id=271067 time=1734541280]
Those pilot associations pad their pay by not hiring enough pilots to fill their required numbers. Any money is split between the partners, which benefits the partners by boosting their income at the detriment to the ships.
[/quote]

This post is incorrect. The United States Coast Guard authorizes the number of pilots needed based on the average traffic compiled over the last 10 years. The number of pilots needed is then multiplied by the salary that the Coast Guard dictates. Pilot pay fluctuates as traffic fluctuates. If traffic is higher for the season wages may be higher. The revenue collected simply pays the bills and the salaries. If you feel there is a problem, you should comment in the Federal Register and voice your concerns, But please don’t post false assumptions about pilotage unless you understand how revenue is produced. I will say again, the number of pilots is dictated by the USCG. I am certain that pilotage offices would love more pilots since the wages of each one is built into the rates.

I may be wrong, but I've always assumed that the published pay rates are the total gross earnings for each pilot in an association. So out of that they have to pay all business expenses, including providing pilot boats, docks, fuel, dispatchers, pilot boat captains, office, insurance, etc.

Does anyone know otherwise?

Those pilot associations pad their pay by not hiring enough pilots to fill their required numbers. Any money is split between the partners, which benefits the partners by boosting their income at the detriment to the ships.

The new pay rates targets are out. Great lakes pilots target pay is $464,317.00

Here is the article.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/13/2024-29128/great-lakes-pilotage-rates-2025-annual-review#:~:text=The%20pilotage%20rates%20for%20the%202025%20season%20range,are%20paid%20by%20shippers%20to%20the%20pilot%20associations.

In U.S. portions of the Great Lakes, pilotage services are provided under a regulated monopoly system managed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
I know pilots are highly skilled and the positions are needed but the pay rate seems crazy. They make more than my family doctor and way more than air traffic controllers.

How did the Coast Guard let this get out of hand?