A person working in Northern Mariana Islands typically earns around 1,990 USD. Salaries range from 500 USD (lowest average) to 8,870 USD (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Northern Mariana Islands vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
![]() 500 USD |
![]() 1,820 USD |
![]() 8,870 USD |
Salaries in Northern Mariana Islands range from 500 USD (starting salary) to 8,870 USD (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
The median salary is 1,820 USD, which means that 50% of the population in Northern Mariana Islands earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Northern Mariana Islands earn less than 1,320 USD while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 2,760 USD while 25% earn more than that.
We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in Northern Mariana Islands. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 1,210 USD to 3,100 USD. Approximately 20% fall under the 1,210 USD cap. Ten percent of wages are from 3,100 USD to 3,960 USD. Only 5% of people grossed 3,960 USD or more.
Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.
In Northern Mariana Islands, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.
Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.
After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.
These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.
The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?
We conducted a study in Northern Mariana Islands comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.
Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.
Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.
Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.
Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Northern Mariana Islands is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 9,970 USD to 29,900 USD and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.
Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Northern Mariana Islands, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 14% across all career fields.
Male | 2,140 USD | |
Female | -12% | 1,880 USD |
Employees in Northern Mariana Islands are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 4% every 29 months.
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
62% of surveyed staff in Northern Mariana Islands reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 38% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 2% to 7% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 38% | |
No Bonus | 62% |
The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
Finance | High | |
Architecture | High | |
Sales | High | |
Business Development | High | |
Marketing / Advertising | High | |
Information Technology | Moderate | |
Healthcare | Moderate | |
Insurance | Moderate | |
Customer Service | Moderate | |
Human Resources | Moderate | |
Construction | Low | |
Transport | Low | |
Hospitality | Low |
The main two types of jobs | |
Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Accounting and Finance | |
Accountant | 1,380 USD |
Accounting Assistant | 1,040 USD |
Accounting Manager | 2,960 USD |
Bookkeeper | 950 USD |
Chartered Accountant | 1,780 USD |
Corporate Treasurer | 2,680 USD |
Financial Analyst | 2,590 USD |
Financial Manager | 3,770 USD |
Internal Auditor | 1,890 USD |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
Administrative Assistant | 1,070 USD |
Office Manager | 1,760 USD |
Receptionist | 730 USD |
Secretary | 860 USD |
Advertising / Graphic Design / Events | |
Art Director | 1,950 USD |
Creative Director | 2,010 USD |
Graphic Designer | 1,280 USD |
Photographer | 1,050 USD |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
Aerospace Engineer | 2,560 USD |
Air Traffic Controller | 2,120 USD |
Flight Attendant | 1,380 USD |
Pilot | 3,460 USD |
Architecture | |
Architect | 2,330 USD |
CAD Drafter | 1,030 USD |
Automotive | |
Mechanic | 730 USD |
Service Advisor | 1,370 USD |
Banking | |
Bank Branch Manager | 3,390 USD |
Teller | 760 USD |
Bilingual | |
Teacher | 1,420 USD |
Translator | 1,780 USD |
Business Planning | |
Business Analyst | 2,530 USD |
Business Development Manager | 3,190 USD |
Project Manager | 2,270 USD |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
Nanny | 820 USD |
Nursery Teacher | 750 USD |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
Civil Engineer | 1,720 USD |
Construction Project Manager | 3,150 USD |
Health and Safety Officer | 870 USD |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
Call Center Representative | 720 USD |
Customer Service Manager | 2,710 USD |
Customer Service Representative | 730 USD |
Engineering | |
Electrical Engineer | 1,990 USD |
Engineer | 1,770 USD |
Mechanical Engineer | 1,820 USD |
Executive and Management | |
Chief Executive Officer | 4,380 USD |
Chief Financial Officer | 3,900 USD |
General Manager | 3,520 USD |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
Chef | 1,260 USD |
Executive Chef | 1,350 USD |
Hotel Manager | 3,350 USD |
Travel Agent | 1,260 USD |
Waiter / Waitress | 610 USD |
Health and Medical | |
Dentist | 4,690 USD |
Dietitian | 3,980 USD |
Laboratory Technician | 1,440 USD |
Nurse | 1,540 USD |
Human Resources | |
Human Resources Manager | 2,810 USD |
Human Resources Officer | 1,180 USD |
Information Technology | |
Computer Technician | 1,540 USD |
Database Administrator | 2,010 USD |
Developer / Programmer | 1,930 USD |
Information Technology Manager | 3,180 USD |
Network Engineer | 1,760 USD |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
Police Officer | 1,160 USD |
Legal | |
Attorney | 3,960 USD |
Legal Assistant | 1,030 USD |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
Journalist | 2,170 USD |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
Biomedical Engineer | 1,580 USD |
Pharmacist | 2,540 USD |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
Cashier | 700 USD |
Sales Manager | 3,240 USD |
Sales Representative | 1,300 USD |
Teaching / Education | |
Elementary School Teacher | 1,320 USD |
Secondary School Teacher | 1,540 USD |
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Northern Mariana Islands is 3 USD. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Northern Mariana Islands is 17% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 1,850 USD | |
Public Sector | +17% | 2,170 USD |
It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Northern Mariana Islands would range anywhere between 1,820 USD and 2,760 USD.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
The base salary in Northern Mariana Islands ranges from 500 USD to 1,320 USD. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary