SOC 53-6011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bridge and Lock Tenders — Michigan
Michigan · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Michigan is $50,540 a year, trailing the national median of $57,700 by 12.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Michigan is $50,540 a year, trailing the national median of $57,700 by 12.4%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $35,000 and $55,850. The lowest tenth earn under $32,210, while the highest tenth earn more than $75,520.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.47 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Michigan ranks number 18th out of 23 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Detroit records the highest median at $35,000. Of the 774 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 471st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,210 | −44.2% |
| 25th | $35,000 | −39.3% |
| Median (50th) | $50,540 | −12.4% |
| 75th | $55,850 | −3.2% |
| 90th | $75,520 | +30.9% |
| Mean | $48,540 | −15.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | $35,000 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $50,540 goes as far as $52,536 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,536US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,540 a year, 12.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,210 to $75,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 18th of 23 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $35,000.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bridge and Lock Tenders in Michigan?
The median annual wage is $50,540, or $24.30 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 $57,700, so pay in Michigan is 12.4% 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 Michigan earns more than $75,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,210 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 Detroit, at $35,000 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Michigan. 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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