Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$56,060
- 25th Percentile — Junior$73,630
- 50th Percentile — Median$110,090
- 75th Percentile — Senior$132,310
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$348,100
Half of Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in California earn more than $110,090. The top 10% make $348,100 or more, while entry-level workers start around $56,060.
Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 38 states for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels pay, at $129,580 per year (24.9% above the U.S. average of $103,720).
- 2,420 people work as Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in California — 6.6% of all U.S. Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs.
- Location quotient 0.56: Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $56,060; the top 10% earn over $348,100.
- Hourly equivalent: $62.3 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Maryland at $143,980.
- Among transportation jobs in California, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($310,190).
Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels here earn $129,580 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $129,580 is roughly equivalent to $91,254 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($143,980), Tennessee ($132,020), Louisiana ($119,980) are the closest alternatives for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $310,190/yr California +139.4% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $202,040/yr California +55.9% vs this role
- Air Traffic Controllers $156,910/yr California +21.1% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $88,500/yr California 31.7% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $75,600/yr California 41.7% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,020/yr California 52.1% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,310/yr California 58.9% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $50,360/yr California 61.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in California?
The average Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in California is $129,580 per year (median $110,090), which is 24.9% above the national average of $103,720.
How does California rank for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 38 states. The highest-paying state is Maryland ($143,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in California earn about $56,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $73,630.
How much do Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels make per hour in California?
About $62.3 per hour, based on the $129,580 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels work in California?
BLS counts 2,420 Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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