Average salary in Michigan

3 mins readLast updated April 19, 2023by Kate Morgan

Michigan is a state located in the Midwest region of the United States, known for its stunning lakeshores and vast forests. The state is home to a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. If you are considering living or working in Michigan, it can be helpful to understand the financial landscape of the state.

While the cost of living in Michigan is generally lower than other states, such as California, the average salaries still vary depending on the location. For instance, cities like Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids tend to have higher salaries than cities like Detroit or Flint.

CityAverage earnings
Sterling Heights $73,000
Grand Rapids $55,000
Lansing $54,000
Warren $50,000
Detroit $40,000

Average salary in Michigan by county

Reviewing average salaries in Michigan by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Michigan by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges. 

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey calculates the average household income for each county in Michigan, the largest of which you can find below. 

County Average household income
Livingston County $93,168
Oakland County $90,553
Washtenaw County $82,420
Leelanau County $80,463
Emmet County $76,766
Grand Traverse County $75,103
Kalamazoo County $72,623
Ingham County $70,557
Kent County $70,044
Clinton County $69,822

Highest paying jobs in Michigan

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Michigan: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.  

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by job title. You can also find the top 10 highest-paying titles in Michigan below.  

Occupation Average salary
Primary care Pediatrician $205,627
Finance Services director $197,309
Acute Care Physician $196,265
Vice President, Field Operations $188,501
Chief Medical Officer $187,513
Executive Vice President Marketing $187,386
President & Chief Operating Officer $182,690
Vice President of Sales & Operations $181,664
Primary Care Physician $180,101
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Hospitalist $180,101

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Michigan

What is the average salary in Michigan by age? 

Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Michigan are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income. 

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $37,026; householders aged 24 to 44 years old have a median income of $64,181; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $71,855; and those 65 and older have a median income of $46,125. 

What is a ‘good’ salary in Michigan? 

The median income in Michigan is $57,697. Defining ‘good’ relies on all sorts of variable factors and these should be taken into account. 

What is the average salary in Michigan by hour? 

If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Michigan is $31.99. 

Getting expert advice before you make significant financial decisions can really benefit you in the long term. Protect your financial future and speak to one of our financial advisors today.  

Content writer

Kate Morgan

Kate has written for leading publications and blue chip companies over the last 20 years.