Tug Boat Captain Salaries in California
How Much Does a Tug Boat Captain Make in California?
Updated March 01, 2025
As of March 01, 2025,
the average annual pay of Tug Boat Captain in California is $116,894.
While Salary.com is seeing that Tug Boat Captain salary in CA can go up to $144,323
or down to $88,452, but most earn between $102,006 and $131,251.
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors,
including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels.
With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to Tug Boat Captain
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Similar Job Salaries to Tug Boat Captain by Company
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| Company | average base salary in (usd) | range |
|---|---|---|
|
Sea Level Construction
Tug Boat Captain
|
$58,680/yr
|
RANGE: $51,444 - $65,916
|
|
Carver
Tug Boat Captain
|
$48,882/yr
|
RANGE: $42,095 - $55,668
|
|
Lake Chabot Hospitality LLC
Tour Boat Captain
|
$104,878/yr
|
RANGE: $87,334 - $122,422
|
|
Boy Scouts of America
Camp Boat Captain - School Year
|
$83,297/yr
|
RANGE: $70,625 - $95,968
|
|
CARDINAL POINT CAPTAINS INC
Boat Captain / Engineering Technician III
|
$72,353/yr
|
RANGE: $64,106 - $80,600
|
|
Monterey Bay Whale Watch
Boat Captain for Whale Watching Company
|
$73,274/yr
|
RANGE: $63,267 - $83,281
|
|
Wilsonville Concrete Products
Tug Captain
|
$40,057/yr
|
RANGE: $34,739 - $45,375
|
|
Colonial Group, Inc.
Tug Captain
|
$111,742/yr
|
RANGE: $94,077 - $129,406
|
|
OSG Ship Management
Tug Captain
|
$48,537/yr
|
RANGE: $38,834 - $58,239
|
|
City Experiences
PT Boat Captain - 100 Ton - Alcatraz Cruises
|
$82,483/yr
|
RANGE: $69,546 - $95,420
|
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Tug Boat Captain Jobs in California
It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States.
There are some cities where a Tug Boat Captain can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living.
Below is the top cities list for Tug Boat Captain job salaries in California.
Some cities can pay higher salaries for Tug Boat Captain jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for Tug Boat Captain positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the Tug Boat Captain salary is higher than other cities in California.
San Jose takes first place in this list, followed by Santa Clara, Fremont.
The Tug Boat Captain salary is $133,002 in San Jose,
which is higher than the national average. There are 76 cities' Tug Boat Captain salary higher than national average in California.
The average salary for a Tug Boat Captain in California is $116,894,
but we found that the city with the highest salary for Tug Boat Captain jobs is San Jose, CA, and it is higher than Santa Clara.
Tug Boat Captain jobs in San Jose can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in California.
| CITY | ANNUAL SALARY | MONTHLY PAY | WEEKLY PAY | HOURLY WAGE |
| San Jose | $133,002 | $11,084 | $2,558 | $64 |
| Santa Clara | $133,002 | $11,084 | $2,558 | $64 |
| Fremont | $132,790 | $11,066 | $2,554 | $64 |
| San Francisco | $132,472 | $11,039 | $2,548 | $64 |
| Daly City | $132,472 | $11,039 | $2,548 | $64 |
| Berkeley | $129,293 | $10,774 | $2,486 | $62 |
| Oakland | $129,293 | $10,774 | $2,486 | $62 |
| Hayward | $129,081 | $10,757 | $2,482 | $62 |
| Antioch | $122,087 | $10,174 | $2,348 | $59 |
| Vallejo | $119,225 | $9,935 | $2,293 | $57 |
What Does a Tug Boat Captain Do?
From Captain requirements to the Coast Guard application process – how to navigate the process of becoming an official boat Captain.
Updated November 14, 2021
Tugboat captains are hired to pilot boats that bump, push and pull larger vessels through waterways and into and out of ports.
Updated December 18, 2021
Nicknamed a “Pocket Yacht,” the Ranger Tug also earned the moniker, “Swiss Army Knife” of boats as it opens, twists and folds up like a tool to maximizes every inch of space for indoor living and outdoor activity.
Updated December 05, 2021
And other recreational boats, mostly in cases where the person in command of the boat may not be a licensed or professional captain, suggesting the term is less formal.
Updated November 25, 2021
The captain gave orders to tell the coastguard that they had had a "failure" and needed help from tug boats.
Updated November 24, 2021
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Explore JobArchitectFrequently Asked Questions About a Tug Boat Captain Salaries
What is the average of a Tug Boat Captain in California?
The Tug Boat Captain salary range is from $102,006 to $131,251, and the average Tug Boat Captain salary is $116,894/year in California.
The Tug Boat Captain's salary will change in different locations.
Which location pays the highest Tug Boat Captain salary in the United States?
The Tug Boat Captain salary in San Jose, CA is $133,002
which is the highest in the US.
What kinds of reasons will influence the Tug Boat Captain's salary?
Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary.
Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Tug Boat Captain.
What is the growth rate of the Tug Boat Captain's salary?
If you are thinking of becoming a Tug Boat Captain or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Tug Boat Captain.
