How much does a captain make in California?
$110,100a year
Median yearly pay for captains in California. That is $52.93 an hour or $9,174 a month.
- Hourly
- $52.93
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 38
- Jobs in the state
- 2,420
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $56,060Median: $110,100Highest 10%: $348,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,060 | $26.95 | |
| 25th | $73,630 | $35.40 | |
| Median | $110,100 | $52.93 | |
| 75th | $132,300 | $63.61 | |
| 90th | $348,100 | $167.36 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $124,600 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $113,300 |
| Oxnard, CA | $80,100 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,380 |
| San Diego, CA | $76,490 |
| Salinas, CA | $60,070 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for captains.
| 2. Tennessee | $132,700 |
| 3. Louisiana | $117,200 |
| 4. Texas | $111,400 |
| 5. California | $110,100 |
| 6. New York | $104,800 |
| 7. Mississippi | $104,200 |
| 8. Washington | $103,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a captain make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $52.93 ($110,100 a year).
Do captains make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $110,100 against $92,460 nationally, 19% more.
Where does California rank for captain pay?
California ranks 5 of 38 states.
Which city in California pays captains the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $124,600 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.