MI

Certifications & licenses in Michigan

Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths for 27 professional credentials in MI. Data from BLS OEWS and primary state licensing sources.

Tracked careers
27
Top-paying
Dental Hygienist
$80,990
insights

What's different about Michigan

Licensing landscape
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
42
distinct boards
COSMETOLOGY

A full cosmetologist license requires 1,500 training hours, and the biennial renewal fee as of 2026 is $48.

Michigan Board of Cosmetology

MASSAGE THERAPY

For 2024 license renewals, massage therapists must complete 3 hours of implicit bias training in addition to 18 hours of standard continuing education.

Michigan Board of Massage Therapy

EMT

As of 2025, Emergency Medical Technicians must complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years to be eligible for license renewal.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS

Applicants for a Residential Builder license must complete 60 hours of approved pre-licensure education before they can take the state exam.

LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes

Metro concentration
Where certified careers cluster
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
183,640 jobs
Production
BLS OEWS May 2024
Midland, MI
3,790 jobs
Healthcare support
BLS OEWS May 2024
Jackson, MI
13.2% of area employment
Production
BLS OEWS May 2024
Cost-of-living adjusted
What nominal wages are actually worth in Michigan
91.9
COL composite index
MERIC 2025 Annual Average
78.3
Housing index
16th lowest in US
National rank

A $65K salary in Michigan has a purchasing power roughly equivalent to a $70K salary in an average-cost-of-living state.

Regional comparison
Michigan vs. neighboring states
Certified Nursing Assistant · Median annual wage
State Median annual wage vs MI
MI $38,380
OH $37,544 -2.2% vs MI
IN $37,020 -3.5% vs MI
WI $40,600 +5.8% vs MI
IL $40,050 +4.4% vs MI
Massage Therapist · Required training hours
State Required training hours vs MI
MI 625 hours
OH 750 hours +125 hours
IN 625 hours 0 hours
WI 600 hours -25 hours
IL 600 hours -25 hours
health_and_safety

Healthcare in Michigan

13 paths
Career License Median salary
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Required $38,900
Dental Assistant Required $47,030
EMT Required $38,890
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Required $63,810
Medical Assistant No $38,840
Medical Coder No $48,220
Paramedic Required $38,890
Pharmacy Technician Required $40,040
Phlebotomist No $39,760
Radiology Technologist Required $68,480
Respiratory Therapist Required $77,460
Surgical Technologist No $62,320
Dental Hygienist Required $80,990
construction

Trades in Michigan

8 paths
Career License Median salary
CDL Truck Driver Required $55,140
Electrician Required $72,680
HVAC Technician Required $60,090
Plumber Required $77,030
Welder No $48,930
Barber Required $29,390
Cosmetologist Required $35,720
Massage Therapist Required $54,510
business_center

Professional in Michigan

6 paths
Career License Median salary
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Required $77,720
Notary Public Required
Paralegal No $61,490
Personal Trainer No $45,780
Insurance Agent Required $58,910
Real Estate Agent Required $55,600

leaderboard Michigan careers ranked by salary

Compare other states