Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Lake Charles, LA
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Lake Charles, LA make a median of $113,350 a year, or about $54.5 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $134K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 85.85), which stretches that salary to about $132,033 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,217/month, or 17% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $113K get you in Lake Charles?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lake Charles, LA
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $113K.Top earners bring in $134K or more - a $76K spread from bottom to top.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $113K | +32% | 530 |
| Texas | $106K | +24% | 4,090 |
| Washington | $105K | +22% | 1,600 |
| New York | $104K | +21% | 2,080 |
| Louisiana | $103K | +21% | 6,310 |
| Iowa | $100K | +17% | 100 |
| Maryland | $95K | +11% | 460 |
| West Virginia | $95K | +11% | 110 |
| Tennessee | $92K | +7% | 840 |
| New Jersey | $92K | +7% | 880 |
| Arkansas | $89K | +4% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $84K | -2% | 90 |
| Virginia | $82K | -4% | 1,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $82K | -4% | 530 |
| Kentucky | $82K | -4% | 1,490 |
Track captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lake Charles numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median is $113,350 a year - that works out to about $54.5 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,690, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $133,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $113K enough to live in Lake Charles?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,991/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,217/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 17.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary go in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles has a Regional Price Parity of 85.85 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary is worth about $132,033 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.