Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Detroit, MI (2026)
The highest-paying job in Detroit, MI, Michigan is Pediatrician with a median salary of $218,000 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 64 tracked occupations the average median is $107,888, with 35 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Detroit, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.1 (national average = 100), so a $107,888 nominal salary equals $113,447 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Detroit, MI, MI, from BLS OEWS data. Detroit, MI's cost-of-living index runs 95.1 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Detroit, MI, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Detroit, MI
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Detroit, MI's cost-of-living index of 95.1 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $218,000 · 10th–90th $105,180–$307,250 · 730 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Detroit, MI earn $218,000 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $307,250.
Median $209,550 · 10th–90th $140,230–$595,210 · 550 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Detroit, MI earn $209,550 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $595,210.
Median $181,990 · 10th–90th $65,310–$382,240 · 1,940 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Detroit, MI earn $181,990 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $382,240.
Median $170,040 · 10th–90th $103,890–$234,520 · 7,980 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Detroit, MI earn $170,040 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $234,520.
Median $167,860 · 10th–90th $121,920–$283,380 · 1,700 jobs in metro
Dentists in Detroit, MI earn $167,860 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $283,380.
Median $160,240 · 10th–90th $91,520–$285,500 · 11,670 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Detroit, MI earn $160,240 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $285,500.
Median $155,560 · 10th–90th $79,250–$251,160 · 8,760 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Detroit, MI earn $155,560 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $251,160.
Median $149,980 · 10th–90th $97,340–$232,790 · 3,090 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Detroit, MI earn $149,980 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $232,790.
Median $149,310 · 10th–90th $86,600–$236,670 · 3,370 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Detroit, MI earn $149,310 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $236,670.
Median $142,690 · 10th–90th $117,240–$213,850 · 610 jobs in metro
Optometrists in Detroit, MI earn $142,690 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $213,850.
Full Ranking (64 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $218,000 | $105,180–$307,250 | $229,232 | 730 |
| 2 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $209,550 | $140,230–$595,210 | $220,347 | 550 |
| 3 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $181,990 | $65,310–$382,240 | $191,367 | 1,940 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $170,040 | $103,890–$234,520 | $178,801 | 7,980 |
| 5 | Dentist | Healthcare | $167,860 | $121,920–$283,380 | $176,509 | 1,700 |
| 6 | Financial Manager | Finance | $160,240 | $91,520–$285,500 | $168,496 | 11,670 |
| 7 | Sales Manager | Management | $155,560 | $79,250–$251,160 | $163,575 | 8,760 |
| 8 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $149,980 | $97,340–$232,790 | $157,708 | 3,090 |
| 9 | Marketing Manager | Management | $149,310 | $86,600–$236,670 | $157,003 | 3,370 |
| 10 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $142,690 | $117,240–$213,850 | $150,042 | 610 |
| 11 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $137,770 | $63,630–$170,230 | $144,869 | 4,280 |
| 12 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $136,720 | $106,330–$180,770 | $143,764 | 150 |
| 13 | Lawyer | Legal | $134,980 | $78,730–$246,420 | $141,935 | 10,110 |
| 14 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $134,390 | $106,110–$164,390 | $141,314 | 3,400 |
| 15 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $131,830 | $103,800–$157,870 | $138,623 | 2,400 |
| 16 | Software Developer | Technology | $130,760 | $82,720–$167,490 | $137,497 | 24,870 |
| 17 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $129,730 | $74,450–$202,500 | $136,414 | 710 |
| 18 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $128,830 | $76,630–$171,800 | $135,468 | 1,570 |
| 19 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $127,450 | $46,530–$178,940 | $134,017 | 500 |
| 20 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $126,250 | $77,730–$166,730 | $132,755 | 5,800 |
| 21 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $114,390 | $80,610–$160,110 | $120,284 | 6,060 |
| 22 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $114,340 | $67,590–$206,630 | $120,231 | 7,110 |
| 23 | Database Architect | Technology | $110,160 | $63,450–$153,710 | $115,836 | 510 |
| 24 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $109,470 | $79,880–$161,030 | $115,110 | 22,500 |
| 25 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $108,990 | $67,350–$167,580 | $114,606 | 1,520 |
| 26 | Web Designer | Technology | $108,550 | $52,140–$167,360 | $114,143 | 870 |
| 27 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $107,560 | $52,680–$164,210 | $113,102 | 3,830 |
| 28 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $104,110 | $78,860–$150,430 | $109,474 | 17,350 |
| 29 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $104,010 | $51,910–$259,390 | $109,369 | 37,250 |
| 30 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $103,670 | $67,040–$163,210 | $109,012 | 7,150 |
| 31 | Data Scientist | Technology | $103,330 | $62,400–$168,510 | $108,654 | 3,810 |
| 32 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $102,970 | $80,690–$131,140 | $108,275 | 3,770 |
| 33 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $102,390 | $64,880–$137,600 | $107,666 | 2,140 |
| 34 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $101,550 | $64,470–$160,350 | $106,782 | 3,930 |
| 35 | Management Analyst | Management | $100,570 | $63,970–$164,330 | $105,752 | 5,680 |
| 36 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $99,580 | $82,100–$123,440 | $104,711 | 90 |
| 37 | Web Developer | Technology | $99,450 | $45,760–$160,770 | $104,574 | 790 |
| 38 | Architect | Engineering | $97,920 | $62,440–$147,730 | $102,965 | 1,350 |
| 39 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $97,280 | $78,140–$110,650 | $102,292 | 44,310 |
| 40 | Network Architect | Technology | $96,400 | $64,880–$140,110 | $101,367 | 3,010 |
| 41 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $92,550 | $64,000–$129,700 | $97,319 | 3,870 |
| 42 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $89,640 | $64,060–$113,100 | $94,259 | 1,850 |
| 43 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $89,600 | $66,580–$107,140 | $94,217 | 2,030 |
| 44 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $87,860 | $59,400–$136,640 | $92,387 | 1,380 |
| 45 | Plumber | Trades | $86,370 | $48,250–$107,780 | $90,820 | 5,520 |
| 46 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $84,480 | $78,620–$97,230 | $88,833 | 3,780 |
| 47 | Electrician | Trades | $81,990 | $46,660–$107,330 | $86,215 | 11,210 |
| 48 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $81,590 | $65,180–$150,530 | $85,794 | 530 |
| 49 | Accountant | Finance | $80,650 | $58,080–$133,870 | $84,805 | 19,390 |
| 50 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $77,520 | $48,920–$101,310 | $81,514 | 9,080 |
| 51 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $77,100 | $43,540–$130,410 | $81,073 | 11,710 |
| 52 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $76,830 | $45,530–$310,010 | $80,789 | 3,430 |
| 53 | Loan Officer | Finance | $76,260 | $36,520–$135,700 | $80,189 | 7,200 |
| 54 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $75,930 | $49,840–$155,270 | $79,842 | 340 |
| 55 | Writer/Author | Creative | $75,760 | $48,870–$121,330 | $79,664 | 510 |
| 56 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $72,600 | $43,150–$110,770 | $76,341 | 1,000 |
| 57 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $66,100 | $39,470–$126,550 | $69,506 | 2,930 |
| 58 | Carpenter | Trades | $65,810 | $47,560–$82,790 | $69,201 | 7,610 |
| 59 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $65,210 | $48,750–$99,460 | $68,570 | 18,390 |
| 60 | Paralegal | Legal | $63,400 | $49,500–$97,710 | $66,667 | 4,550 |
| 61 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $60,210 | $44,610–$91,390 | $63,312 | 2,710 |
| 62 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $58,910 | $37,740–$95,110 | $61,945 | 4,570 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $56,000 | $37,080–$81,240 | $58,885 | 9,520 |
| 64 | Welder | Trades | $51,810 | $39,000–$75,760 | $54,479 | 4,580 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI's pay distribution is shaped by the automotive industry — engineering, manufacturing management, and skilled-trades roles dominate the upper percentiles. Below-average COL means COL-adjusted pay is competitive.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Detroit, MI's cost-of-living index of 95.1 runs 5% below the U.S. national average. Lower nominal pay here often translates to comparable or better purchasing power than higher headline numbers in coastal hubs — see the COL-Adjusted column for the apples-to-apples figure.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Pediatrician with five-plus years of experience in Detroit, MI should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($262,625) or 90th percentile ($307,250), not the $218,000 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $218K Pediatrician salary in Detroit, MI (COL 95.1) translates to $229K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Pediatrician in Detroit, MI page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Detroit, MI is Pediatrician with a median salary of $218,000 and a 90th-percentile reading of $307,250. The role employs roughly 730 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
35 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Detroit, MI have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Detroit, MI is $107,888. The cost-of-living index is 95.1, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $113,447 in equivalent purchasing power.
Detroit, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.1, below the national average. Nominal pay translates better than face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Pediatrician, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Family Medicine Physician occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.