Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in California
Local pay for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in California, on the same wage scale as the U.S. Growth and openings are national.
SOC 53-5021
$110,090
median pay, California
2,420
employed in California
+19.1%
vs U.S. median
+0.5%
growth, 2024–34 (U.S.)
What captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels earn in California
California · annual wage · OEWS May 2025
Half of captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in California earn between $73,630 and $132,310 a year; the U.S. median is $92,460.
$56,060
P10
$110,090
MEDIAN
$348,100
P90
Pay by metro in California
$124,610
$113,260
$80,100
$78,380
$76,490
$60,070
$40k $200k $360k