SOC 53-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northern Michigan, MI is $75,640 a year, trailing the national median of $92,460 by 18.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northern Michigan, MI is $75,640 a year, trailing the national median of $92,460 by 18.2%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $51,190 and $84,990. The lowest tenth earn under $36,060, while the highest tenth earn more than $91,370.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Traverse City records the highest median at $79,440. Of the 361 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 70th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,060 | −61.0% |
| 25th | $51,190 | −44.6% |
| Median (50th) | $75,640 | −18.2% |
| 75th | $84,990 | −8.1% |
| 90th | $91,370 | −1.2% |
| Mean | $70,080 | −24.2% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Traverse City | $79,440 | 90 | |
| 2 | Muskegon | $59,900 | 60 | |
| 3 | Detroit | $40,810 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northern Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $75,640 goes as far as $78,628 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$75,640as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$78,628US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $75,640 a year, 18.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,060 to $91,370 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Traverse City, at $79,440.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels in Northern Michigan, MI?
The median annual wage is $75,640, or $36.36 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 Northern Michigan, MI is 18.2% 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 Northern Michigan, MI earns more than $91,370 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,060 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 Traverse City, at $79,440 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in Northern Michigan, MI. 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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