North Carolina Median
$69,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#30 of 38
490 employed here
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in North Carolina?
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in North Carolina take home a median of $69,170 annually — roughly $33.25 an hour — which runs 25% below the national median of $92,460.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $43,040 while the top 10% make $105,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,870 and $95,840 a year.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,040 | $20.69 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,870 | $27.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,170 | $33.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $95,840 | $46.08 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,880 | $50.90 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 30th 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 $111,390California $110,090New 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 $69,600Alabama $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($69,170) 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 North Carolina?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in North Carolina is $69,170 per year, or about $33.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,040 at the entry level to $105,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 25% less than the national median of $92,460. North Carolina ranks 30th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $69,170 a year. About 490 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary report
Related salaries
$69,960
median pay · 18,000 employed
$78,000
median pay · 46,000 employed
$81,410
median pay · 33,000 employed
$86,380
median pay · 10,000 employed
$62,890
median pay · 624,000 employed
$68,840
median pay · 12,000 employed
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.