Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Michigan (2026)
The highest-paying job in Michigan is Pediatrician with a state-aggregated median salary of $218,000 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 1 BLS-tracked metro. Across all 64 occupations the average median is $107,888, with 35 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Michigan's average cost-of-living index is 95, so the average median equates to $113,566 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Michigan — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Michigan's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Michigan to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Michigan
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Michigan's single tracked metro.
State median $218,000 · 730 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($218,000)
Pediatricians in Michigan earn $218,000 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $218,000 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $209,550 · 550 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($209,550)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Michigan earn $209,550 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $209,550 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $181,990 · 1,940 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($181,990)
Family Medicine Physicians in Michigan earn $181,990 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $181,990 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $170,040 · 7,980 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($170,040)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Michigan earn $170,040 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $170,040 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $167,860 · 1,700 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($167,860)
Dentists in Michigan earn $167,860 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $167,860 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $160,240 · 11,670 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($160,240)
Financial Managers in Michigan earn $160,240 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $160,240 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $155,560 · 8,760 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($155,560)
Sales Managers in Michigan earn $155,560 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $155,560 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $149,980 · 3,090 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($149,980)
Human Resources Managers in Michigan earn $149,980 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $149,980 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $149,310 · 3,370 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($149,310)
Marketing Managers in Michigan earn $149,310 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $149,310 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $142,690 · 610 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($142,690)
Optometrists in Michigan earn $142,690 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $142,690 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 64 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $218,000 | Detroit | $218,000 | 730 |
| 2 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $209,550 | Detroit | $209,550 | 550 |
| 3 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $181,990 | Detroit | $181,990 | 1,940 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $170,040 | Detroit | $170,040 | 7,980 |
| 5 | Dentist | Healthcare | $167,860 | Detroit | $167,860 | 1,700 |
| 6 | Financial Manager | Finance | $160,240 | Detroit | $160,240 | 11,670 |
| 7 | Sales Manager | Management | $155,560 | Detroit | $155,560 | 8,760 |
| 8 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $149,980 | Detroit | $149,980 | 3,090 |
| 9 | Marketing Manager | Management | $149,310 | Detroit | $149,310 | 3,370 |
| 10 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $142,690 | Detroit | $142,690 | 610 |
| 11 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $137,770 | Detroit | $137,770 | 4,280 |
| 12 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $136,720 | Detroit | $136,720 | 150 |
| 13 | Lawyer | Legal | $134,980 | Detroit | $134,980 | 10,110 |
| 14 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $134,390 | Detroit | $134,390 | 3,400 |
| 15 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $131,830 | Detroit | $131,830 | 2,400 |
| 16 | Software Developer | Technology | $130,760 | Detroit | $130,760 | 24,870 |
| 17 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $129,730 | Detroit | $129,730 | 710 |
| 18 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $128,830 | Detroit | $128,830 | 1,570 |
| 19 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $127,450 | Detroit | $127,450 | 500 |
| 20 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $126,250 | Detroit | $126,250 | 5,800 |
| 21 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $114,390 | Detroit | $114,390 | 6,060 |
| 22 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $114,340 | Detroit | $114,340 | 7,110 |
| 23 | Database Architect | Technology | $110,160 | Detroit | $110,160 | 510 |
| 24 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $109,470 | Detroit | $109,470 | 22,500 |
| 25 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $108,990 | Detroit | $108,990 | 1,520 |
| 26 | Web Designer | Technology | $108,550 | Detroit | $108,550 | 870 |
| 27 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $107,560 | Detroit | $107,560 | 3,830 |
| 28 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $104,110 | Detroit | $104,110 | 17,350 |
| 29 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $104,010 | Detroit | $104,010 | 37,250 |
| 30 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $103,670 | Detroit | $103,670 | 7,150 |
| 31 | Data Scientist | Technology | $103,330 | Detroit | $103,330 | 3,810 |
| 32 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $102,970 | Detroit | $102,970 | 3,770 |
| 33 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $102,390 | Detroit | $102,390 | 2,140 |
| 34 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $101,550 | Detroit | $101,550 | 3,930 |
| 35 | Management Analyst | Management | $100,570 | Detroit | $100,570 | 5,680 |
| 36 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $99,580 | Detroit | $99,580 | 90 |
| 37 | Web Developer | Technology | $99,450 | Detroit | $99,450 | 790 |
| 38 | Architect | Engineering | $97,920 | Detroit | $97,920 | 1,350 |
| 39 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $97,280 | Detroit | $97,280 | 44,310 |
| 40 | Network Architect | Technology | $96,400 | Detroit | $96,400 | 3,010 |
| 41 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $92,550 | Detroit | $92,550 | 3,870 |
| 42 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $89,640 | Detroit | $89,640 | 1,850 |
| 43 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $89,600 | Detroit | $89,600 | 2,030 |
| 44 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $87,860 | Detroit | $87,860 | 1,380 |
| 45 | Plumber | Trades | $86,370 | Detroit | $86,370 | 5,520 |
| 46 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $84,480 | Detroit | $84,480 | 3,780 |
| 47 | Electrician | Trades | $81,990 | Detroit | $81,990 | 11,210 |
| 48 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $81,590 | Detroit | $81,590 | 530 |
| 49 | Accountant | Finance | $80,650 | Detroit | $80,650 | 19,390 |
| 50 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $77,520 | Detroit | $77,520 | 9,080 |
| 51 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $77,100 | Detroit | $77,100 | 11,710 |
| 52 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $76,830 | Detroit | $76,830 | 3,430 |
| 53 | Loan Officer | Finance | $76,260 | Detroit | $76,260 | 7,200 |
| 54 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $75,930 | Detroit | $75,930 | 340 |
| 55 | Writer/Author | Creative | $75,760 | Detroit | $75,760 | 510 |
| 56 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $72,600 | Detroit | $72,600 | 1,000 |
| 57 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $66,100 | Detroit | $66,100 | 2,930 |
| 58 | Carpenter | Trades | $65,810 | Detroit | $65,810 | 7,610 |
| 59 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $65,210 | Detroit | $65,210 | 18,390 |
| 60 | Paralegal | Legal | $63,400 | Detroit | $63,400 | 4,550 |
| 61 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $60,210 | Detroit | $60,210 | 2,710 |
| 62 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $58,910 | Detroit | $58,910 | 4,570 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $56,000 | Detroit | $56,000 | 9,520 |
| 64 | Welder | Trades | $51,810 | Detroit | $51,810 | 4,580 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Michigan
Michigan's economy is shaped by the automotive industry around Detroit — engineering, manufacturing management, and skilled-trades roles dominate the upper percentiles. Below-average cost of living means COL-adjusted pay is competitive.
$Michigan tracks $1 BLS-published metros covering approximately $404,910 workers across the $64 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Pediatrician top spot reflects Detroit pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Michigan typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Michigan, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Michigan is Pediatrician with a state median salary of $218,000. The top-paying metro for this role is Detroit at $218,000 median. The role employs roughly 730 workers across Michigan.
35 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Michigan have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Michigan is $107,888. The figure is employment-weighted across 1 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $113,566.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Michigan, this page aggregates Detroit. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
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. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Michigan.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Michigan, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.