How Much Do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Make in California?
Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in California earns $110,090 per year and takes home $80,270 ($6,689/month) — a keep-rate of 72.9%, with 2,420 employed in the state.
Free. No signup. Single filer, standard deduction — full model.
| Gross pay | $9,174.17 |
| Federal income tax | $1,282.47 |
| Social Security | $568.80 |
| Medicare | $133.03 |
| California state income tax | $500.73 |
| You keep | $6,689.14 |
How much do Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make in California?
The median Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in California earns $110,090 per year (BLS May 2025), about $52.93 per hour.
What is that after taxes?
$110,090 gross in California keeps $80,270 after federal income tax ($15,390), FICA ($8,422) and state income tax ($6,009) — $6,689 per month, a 72.9% keep-rate.
How does California compare to the national median for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
The California median is $17,630 above the national median of $92,460.
Which state pays Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels the most?
Maryland has the highest median gross for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels at $138,950 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary in every state · California paycheck calculator · California minimum wage