Virginia Median
$87,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $92,460
State Rank
#14 of 38
2,270 employed here
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in Virginia?
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels working in Virginia earn a median salary of $87,610 per year, or about $42.12 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $92,460 for this occupation.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $54,560 while the top 10% make $132,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,460 and $120,460 a year.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,560 | $26.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $66,460 | $31.95 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,610 | $42.12 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $120,460 | $57.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,160 | $63.54 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 14th 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 $88,230West 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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($87,610) 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 Virginia?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Virginia is $87,610 per year, or about $42.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,560 at the entry level to $132,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels about 5% less than the national median of $92,460. Virginia ranks 14th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $87,610 a year. About 2,270 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.