Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in California
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in California make a median of $79,560 a year, or about $38.25 an hour. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $159K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $80K get you in California?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $159K or more, a $105K spread from bottom to top.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary by metro in California
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $111K | +39% | 400 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $88K | +10% | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $77K | -3% | 790 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $76K | -5% | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $75K | -6% | 280 |
Compare to other states
Track captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in California?
The median is $79,560 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,030, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $158,730. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,068/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 48.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary is worth about $74,958 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.