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Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in West Virginia (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary grow from entry-level to senior in West Virginia? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

207% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • West Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$39,250
$3,271/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$85,290
$7,108/mo
Senior (P90)
$120,320
$10,027/mo

West Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$39,250
National: $45,413
-13.6%
Mid-Career (Median)
$85,290
National: $83,343
+2.3%
Senior (P90)
$120,320
National: $146,182
-17.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in West Virginia spans from $39,250 at entry-level to $120,320 at senior level — a difference of $81,070 per year.

P10
$39K
P25
$61K
Median
$85K
P75
$102K
P90
$120K

Career Growth Premium: +207%

Senior Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselss in West Virginia earn $81,070 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$81,070
Monthly Difference
+$6,756
Hourly Difference
+$38.98
Growth Multiple
3.1x

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 $39,250 $3,271 $18.87
Early Career P25 $61,610 $5,134 $29.62
Mid-Career Median $85,290 $7,108 $41.00
Experienced P75 $102,940 $8,578 $49.49
Senior / Expert P90 $120,320 $10,027 $57.85
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 $39,250 to $120,320. This 207% 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
$348,100
Entry: $56K
+521%
2
$222,280
Entry: $54K
+305%
3
$215,470
Entry: $60K
+258%
4
$212,820
Entry: $59K
+259%
5
$206,860
Entry: $60K
+242%
6
$186,020
Entry: $47K
+296%
7
$170,800
Entry: $64K
+163%
8
$165,360
Entry: $54K
+201%
9
$165,110
Entry: $47K
+247%
10
$163,510
Entry: $39K
+315%

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 $39,250 per year, or $3,270 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $61,610. Based on 2025 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 $120,320 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $102,940. This represents a career premium of 207% 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 207%. Entry-level professionals start at $39,250, while senior-level can earn up to $120,320 — a difference of $81,070 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 $120,320 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) 2025 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.

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All Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels & West Virginia Resources

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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 2025. 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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