California Median
$110,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#5 of 38
2,420 employed here
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in California?
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in California take home a median of $110,090 annually — roughly $52.93 an hour — which runs 19% above the national median of $92,460.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $56,060 while the top 10% make $348,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,630 and $132,310 a year.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,060 | $26.95 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $73,630 | $35.40 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $110,090 | $52.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $132,310 | $63.61 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $348,100 | $167.36 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 38 states and territories for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in other states
Maryland $138,950Tennessee $132,710Louisiana $117,160Texas $111,390New York $104,800Mississippi $104,220Washington $103,730Iowa $97,700Oregon $97,050Indiana $92,000New Jersey $90,310Alaska $88,230Virginia $87,610West Virginia $85,290Missouri $83,670Minnesota $80,920Oklahoma $79,110Massachusetts $77,950Georgia $77,090Rhode Island $76,790Florida $76,040New Hampshire $75,870Connecticut $75,810Wisconsin $74,390Delaware $73,280Hawaii $72,960Maine $72,770Illinois $69,600North Carolina $69,170Alabama $68,920Vermont $64,020Pennsylvania $61,420Arizona $58,700South Carolina $57,660Ohio $56,070Michigan $53,590Utah $50,010
Working as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in California
Nationally, about 37,000 people work as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($110,090) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in California?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in California is $110,090 per year, or about $52.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,060 at the entry level to $348,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 19% more than the national median of $92,460. California ranks 5th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $110,090 a year. About 2,420 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.