Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Washington make a median of $103,730 a year, or about $49.87 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $153K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $101,686 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 26.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $104K get you in Washington?
About captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $92K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K. Top earners bring in $153K or more, a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary by metro in Washington
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $114K | +10% | 60 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $114K | +10% | 40 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $109K | +5% | 1,140 |
Compare to other states
Track captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a captains, mates, and pilots of water vessel afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $104K, rent takes 27% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels typically earn — is $57K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,441/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 53% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is captains, mates, and pilots of water vessel a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $104K here vs. $92K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?
Washington pays $104K median vs. the U.S. average of $92K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $102K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels make in Washington?
The median is $103,730 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,350, and experienced captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels can clear $153,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,780/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 27% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $101,686 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.