Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Florida
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Florida make a median of $63,540 a year, or about $30.55 an hour. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Florida. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $64K get you in Florida?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Florida
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K. Top earners bring in $126K or more, a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary by metro in Florida
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $87K | +36% | 780 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $82K | +30% | 90 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $66K | +3% | 1,360 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $63K | -1% | 60 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $62K | -2% | 30 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $61K | -4% | 90 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $61K | -5% | 80 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $60K | -5% | 140 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | $60K | -6% | 80 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $59K | -7% | 590 |
| Naples-Marco Island | $56K | -13% | 100 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $48K | -24% | 250 |
| Port St. Lucie | $48K | -25% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
Compare to other states
Track captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Florida numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in Florida?
The median is $63,540 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,030, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $126,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Florida?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,424/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,658/month, which eats 37.5% 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 Florida?
Florida 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 $64,455 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.