Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in West Virginia (2024)

How does Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary grow from entry-level to senior in West Virginia? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

261% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • West Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$47,890
$3,991/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$98,590
$8,216/mo
Senior (P90)
$172,760
$14,397/mo

West Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$47,890
National: $43,716
+9.5%
Mid-Career (Median)
$98,590
National: $81,600
+20.8%
Senior (P90)
$172,760
National: $138,844
+24.4%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in West Virginia spans from $47,890 at entry-level to $172,760 at senior level — a difference of $124,870 per year.

P10
$47K
P25
$70K
Median
$98K
P75
$126K
P90
$172K

Career Growth Premium: +261%

Senior Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss in West Virginia earn $124,870 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$124,870
Monthly Difference
+$10,406
Hourly Difference
+$60.03
Growth Multiple
3.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary increases with experience in West Virginia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $47,890 $3,991 $23.02
Early Career P25 $70,870 $5,906 $34.07
Mid-Career Median $98,590 $8,216 $47.40
Experienced P75 $126,710 $10,559 $60.92
Senior / Expert P90 $172,760 $14,397 $83.06
Key Insight

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in West Virginia offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $47,890 to $172,760. This 261% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression in the state. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.

How West Virginia Compares to Other States

Where does West Virginia rank for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels senior-level salaries? Compare West Virginia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$174,160
Entry: $39K
+341%
2
$172,760
Entry: $47K
+261%
3
$170,540
Entry: $59K
+188%
4
$169,580
Entry: $49K
+240%
5
$166,460
Entry: $50K
+230%
6
$164,370
Entry: $60K
+173%
7
$163,850
Entry: $57K
+186%
8
$163,600
Entry: $48K
+238%
9
$156,910
Entry: $47K
+230%
10
$153,920
Entry: $34K
+347%

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss (10th percentile) earn approximately $47,890 per year, or $3,990 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $70,870. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels make?

Senior Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss (90th percentile) earn approximately $172,760 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $126,710. This represents a career premium of 261% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?

The career salary growth potential for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss is 261%. Entry-level professionals start at $47,890, while senior-level can earn up to $172,760 — a difference of $124,870 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss?

The highest-paying state for senior Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss is West Virginia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $172,760 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for West Virginia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within West Virginia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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