Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $110,810 a year, or about $53.28 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $139K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $95,848 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 52.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $111K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $111K.Top earners bring in $139K 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $110,810 a year - that works out to about $53.28 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,150, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $138,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $111K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,658/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 54.1% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $95,848 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.