SOC 53-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — South Carolina
South Carolina · 3 metro areas compared
At $57,660, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels, 37.6% beneath the national figure of $92,460.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $57,660, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels, 37.6% beneath the national figure of $92,460. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $43,780 and $106,710. The lowest tenth earn under $27,600, while the highest tenth earn more than $123,840.
Employment stands at 520, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 38 states with published data for this occupation, South Carolina ranks 35th by median wage. Charleston leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $91,000. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 336th of 713 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,600 | −70.1% |
| 25th | $43,780 | −52.6% |
| Median (50th) | $57,660 | −37.6% |
| 75th | $106,710 | +15.4% |
| 90th | $123,840 | +33.9% |
| Mean | $70,300 | −24.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $91,000 | 250 | |
| 2 | Hilton Head Island | $47,590 | 80 | |
| 3 | Myrtle Beach | $43,780 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $57,660 goes as far as $61,537 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 33.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,537US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,660 a year, 37.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,600 to $123,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 520 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 35th of 38 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charleston, at $91,000.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in South Carolina?
The median annual wage is $57,660, or $27.72 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $92,460, so pay in South Carolina is 37.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Carolina earns more than $123,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,600 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Charleston, at $91,000 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 520 jobs in this occupation in South Carolina. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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