Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA make a median of $104,120 a year, or about $50.06 an hour. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $152K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $98,767 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,922/month, or 30% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $104K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K.Top earners bring in $152K or more - a $96K 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $104,120 a year - that works out to about $50.06 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,950, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $152,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,088/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.6% 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary is worth about $98,767 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.