The median annual wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in California is $79,560 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $96,940.
Pay spans roughly $54,030 at the 10th percentile to $158,730 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $38.25 per hour. An estimated 1,970 people work as captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in California.
| Median (annual) | $79,560 |
| Mean (annual) | $96,940 |
| Median (hourly) | $38.25 |
| 10th percentile | $54,030 |
| 90th percentile | $158,730 |
| Employment | 1,970 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.