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Ship Captain Salary in California, United States
How much does a Ship Captain make in California, United States?
$120,795 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$4,614 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$123,838.37
Entry Level
$85,284
Median
$119,224
Senior Level
$136,955
As of July, 23, 2026, the average ship captain gross salary in California, United States is $120,795 or an equivalent hourly rate of $58. In addition, ship captains earn an average bonus of $4,614. An entry level ship captain with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $85,284. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level ship captain with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $136,955. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in California, United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Ship Captain
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Ship Captain in California, United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Ship Captain will be $123,912 in 1 year and $137,205 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$127,109
Average Growth
5.2 %
The estimated salary for a Ship Captain in 2 years is $127,109, which is 5.2 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Ship Captain Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Ship Captains.
- 4% of Ship Captains have less than a High School Diploma
- 40% of Ship Captains have a High School Diploma
- 11% of Ship Captains have an Associate's Degree
- 25% of Ship Captains have a Bachelor's Degree
- 16% of Ship Captains have a Master's Degree
- 4% of Ship Captains have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for a Ship Captain is Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Training.
See how education can impact your salaryPopular Skills for a Ship Captain
Coordinates activities
100%
Sets course
40%
These are the most popular skills for Ship Captains. About 100% of Ship Captains have a skill in Coordinates activities.
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Where can a Ship Captain earn more?
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Ship Captain Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in California, United States
Ship Captain Jobs
View moreCost of Living in California, United States
The cost of living in California, United States is 40% higher than the national average.
40% higher
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Ship Captain do?
Commands ship to transport passengers, freight, and other cargo across oceans, bays, lakes, and in coastal waters. Sets course of ship, using navigational aids, such as charts, area plotting sheets, compass, and sextant, and orders crew worker at helm to steer ship. Requires licensed by US Coast Guard for steam, motor, or sail ship according to waters navigated and tonnage of ship.
How much does a Ship Captain make in California, United States?
The average salary for a Ship Captain is $120,795 per year or $58.07 per hour in California, United States. Top earners have reported making up to $136,955. However, the typical pay range in California, United States is between $85,284 and $136,955 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Ship Captain?
Ship Captain is projected to see a 13.6 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Ship Captain salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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