Estimate · based on BLS national data

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in District of Columbia

$157,654 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$75.8 per hour

▲ 52.0% above U.S. average1st of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$157,654per year
Median$140,539per year
Hourly$75.8per hour
10th – 90th percentile$81,443 – $238,623per year

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels Pay Range in District of Columbia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$81,443
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$118,902
  • 50th Percentile — Median$140,539
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$203,184
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$238,623

Half of Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in District of Columbia earn more than $140,539. The top 10% make $238,623 or more, while entry-level workers start around $81,443.

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in District of Columbia: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels pay, at $157,654 per year (52.0% above the U.S. average of $103,720).
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $81,443; the top 10% earn over $238,623.
  • Hourly equivalent: $75.8 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • Among transportation jobs in District of Columbia, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($438,748).

Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels Job Market in District of Columbia

Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels here earn $157,654 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $157,654 is roughly equivalent to $103,720 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($143,980), Tennessee ($132,020), California ($129,580) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in District of Columbia?

The average Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in District of Columbia is $157,654 per year (median $140,539), which is 52.0% above the national average of $103,720.

How does District of Columbia rank for Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels pay?

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($157,654/yr).

How much do entry-level Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels make in District of Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels in District of Columbia earn about $81,443 per year and the 25th percentile is $118,902.

How much do Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels make per hour in District of Columbia?

About $75.8 per hour, based on the $157,654 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

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