Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $105,000 a year, or about $50.48 an hour. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $143K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $94,484 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 35.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $105K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K.Top earners bring in $143K or more - a $82K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $105,000 a year - that works out to about $50.48 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,720, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $142,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $105K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,854/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 36.5% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $94,484 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.