Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$57,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-38% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#35 of 38
520 employed here

How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in South Carolina?

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $57,660 per year, or about $27.72 per hour. That is 38% below the national median of $92,460 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $27,600 while the top 10% make $123,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,780 and $106,710 a year.

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,600$13.27
25th percentile (early career)$43,780$21.05
50th percentile (median)$57,660$27.72
75th percentile (experienced)$106,710$51.30
90th percentile (top earners)$123,840$59.54

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 35th out of 38 states and territories for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$138,950
2Tennessee$132,710
3Louisiana$117,160
4Texas$111,390
5California$110,090

Working as Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in South 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 South Carolina pay ($57,660) 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 South Carolina?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in South Carolina is $57,660 per year, or about $27.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,600 at the entry level to $123,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 38% less than the national median of $92,460. South Carolina ranks 35th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,660 a year. About 520 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.