Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $65,570 -23.3% vs national
Median hourly $31.52
10th percentile $34,330
90th percentile $120,620
Employed locally 210
National median $85,540

Compare Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary & buying power

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Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,330
    25th
    $46,930
    50th (median)
    $65,570
    75th
    $106,350
    90th
    $120,620

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary vs area income 80% Median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary is 20% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area $160,320
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $116,620
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $116,130
    Lake Charles, LA $113,350
    Mississippi $112,670
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $110,810

    Nearby metros — Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $110,810
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $76,480
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $72,290
    Wisconsin $64,610
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $55,550
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $46,280

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,200
    Stockers and Order Fillers$35,760
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$55,530
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,060
    Light Truck Drivers$40,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$60,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Charleston, SC is $31.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.54 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salaries?

    The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in Charleston, SC is 23.3% below the national median of $85,540. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Charleston?

    Entry-level Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (10th percentile) earn around $34,330 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,930.