Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay in Michigan
In Michigan, the median pay for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $25.76 an hour ($53,590 a year). About 640 people work in this job there.
That is 42% lower than the U.S. median ($92,460). Michigan ranks 37th of 38 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in Michigan
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.00 | $33,280 |
| 25% of workers | $18.25 | $37,950 |
| Half of workers (median) | $25.76 | $53,590 |
| 75% of workers | $38.19 | $79,440 |
| 90% of workers | $47.32 | $98,420 |
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels pay in Michigan metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Traverse City | $79,440 | 90 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | $59,900 | 60 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $40,810 | 160 |
Michigan unemployment rate: 5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 3,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Commercial Pilots | $126,670 |
| Transportation Inspectors | $35,890 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.