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Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary really buy you in Missouri?

Missouri is 8.9% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$83,670
Median annual (2025)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$91,844
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.1)

Missouri Cost of Living Index

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.1, meaning prices are 8.9% lower the national average. A Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels earning $83,670 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $91,844 in an average-cost US state.

MO: 91.1
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Missouri's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $31,960 $35,082 +$3,122
25th Percentile (P25) $45,710 $50,175 +$4,465
Median (P50) $83,670 $91,844 +$8,174
75th Percentile (P75) $114,230 $125,389 +$11,159
90th Percentile (P90) $158,510 $173,995 +$15,485
Key Insight

A Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Missouri earns $83,670 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $91,844 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Missouri Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.1

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.1 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.9% less than the national average. For a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.8%

After applying Missouri's RPP, the $83,670 median salary translates to $91,844 in real terms — a 9.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#12 / 38

Missouri sits at #12 of 38 states for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (After Cost of Living)

Where does Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$144,564
RPP 91.8
$132,333
RPP 105.0
$129,315
RPP 90.6
$119,381
RPP 87.3
5. Texas
$114,246
RPP 97.5
6. Iowa
$110,520
RPP 88.4
7. Indiana
$100,217
RPP 91.8
$97,857
RPP 112.5
$97,397
RPP 107.6
$95,616
RPP 89.2

Missouri ranks #12 out of 38 states for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels take-home pay in Missouri after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Missouri after cost of living?

A Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Missouri earns a median salary of $83,670 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $91,844 — a +9.8% difference.

Is Missouri expensive to live in?

Missouri's cost of living is 8.9% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Missouri is 91.1 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Missouri: $83,670 x (100 / 91.1) = $91,844. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Missouri enjoys 9.8% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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