Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC make a median of $82,660 a year, or about $39.74 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $84,399 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,713/month — about 32.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $83K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk’s Regional Price Parity (97.94). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K. Top earners bring in $130K or more, a $78K 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 |
| Indiana | $82K | -5% | 810 |
| Alaska | $80K | -6% | 710 |
| Georgia | $80K | -6% | 200 |
| California | $80K | -7% | 1,970 |
| Missouri | $78K | -9% | 370 |
| Alabama | $76K | -11% | 410 |
| Illinois | $76K | -11% | 840 |
| Hawaii | $76K | -11% | 530 |
| Oregon | $76K | -12% | 480 |
| Michigan | $73K | -15% | 490 |
| Connecticut | $72K | -15% | 340 |
| Delaware | $72K | -16% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $68K | -21% | 560 |
| Rhode Island | $67K | -21% | 170 |
| North Carolina | $67K | -22% | 430 |
| New Hampshire | $67K | -22% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $65K | -24% | 150 |
| Florida | $64K | -26% | 4,360 |
| Vermont | $62K | -28% | 50 |
| Maine | $61K | -28% | 330 |
| South Carolina | $58K | -32% | 410 |
| Ohio | $52K | -39% | 310 |
| Utah | $49K | -43% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 38 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $82,660 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,830, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $129,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,192/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month, which eats 33% 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (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 $84,399 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.