Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024 reference period
52 Highest Paying Jobs in Michigan (2026)
The highest-paying job in Michigan is Computer and Information Systems Manager with a state-aggregated median salary of $166,010 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 1 BLS-tracked metro. Across all 52 occupations the average median is $96,947, with 25 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Michigan's average cost-of-living index is 95, so the average median equates to $102,049 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
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 $166,010 · 7,990 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($166,010)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Michigan earn $166,010 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $166,010 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $157,900 · 8,260 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($157,900)
Sales Managers in Michigan earn $157,900 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $157,900 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $141,770 · 10,050 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($141,770)
Financial Managers in Michigan earn $141,770 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $141,770 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $139,430 · 2,950 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($139,430)
Marketing Managers in Michigan earn $139,430 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $139,430 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $136,540 · 4,820 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($136,540)
Pharmacists in Michigan earn $136,540 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $136,540 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $135,300 · 2,010 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($135,300)
Physician Assistants in Michigan earn $135,300 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $135,300 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $133,760 · 2,790 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($133,760)
Human Resources Managers in Michigan earn $133,760 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $133,760 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $128,450 · 1,510 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($128,450)
Computer Network Architects in Michigan earn $128,450 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $128,450 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $128,060 · 9,460 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($128,060)
Lawyers in Michigan earn $128,060 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $128,060 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $126,110 · 3,850 jobs · top metro: Detroit ($126,110)
Nurse Practitioners in Michigan earn $126,110 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Detroit) pays $126,110 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 52 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $166,010 | Detroit | $166,010 | 7,990 |
| 2 | Sales Manager | Management | $157,900 | Detroit | $157,900 | 8,260 |
| 3 | Financial Manager | Finance | $141,770 | Detroit | $141,770 | 10,050 |
| 4 | Marketing Manager | Management | $139,430 | Detroit | $139,430 | 2,950 |
| 5 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $136,540 | Detroit | $136,540 | 4,820 |
| 6 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $135,300 | Detroit | $135,300 | 2,010 |
| 7 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $133,760 | Detroit | $133,760 | 2,790 |
| 8 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $128,450 | Detroit | $128,450 | 1,510 |
| 9 | Lawyer | Legal | $128,060 | Detroit | $128,060 | 9,460 |
| 10 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $126,110 | Detroit | $126,110 | 3,850 |
| 11 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $125,820 | Detroit | $125,820 | 120 |
| 12 | Software Developer | Technology | $124,780 | Detroit | $124,780 | 21,670 |
| 13 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $105,500 | Detroit | $105,500 | 6,300 |
| 14 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $105,390 | Detroit | $105,390 | 490 |
| 15 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $105,260 | Detroit | $105,260 | 1,640 |
| 16 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $105,170 | Detroit | $105,170 | 5,210 |
| 17 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $105,030 | Detroit | $105,030 | 37,250 |
| 18 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $104,450 | Detroit | $104,450 | 3,780 |
| 19 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $104,420 | Detroit | $104,420 | 19,740 |
| 20 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $104,360 | Detroit | $104,360 | 8,630 |
| 21 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $104,320 | Detroit | $104,320 | 6,660 |
| 22 | Data Scientist | Technology | $103,710 | Detroit | $103,710 | 2,810 |
| 23 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $102,080 | Detroit | $102,080 | 2,220 |
| 24 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $100,940 | Detroit | $100,940 | 17,080 |
| 25 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $100,300 | Detroit | $100,300 | 3,580 |
| 26 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $99,600 | Detroit | $99,600 | 3,180 |
| 27 | Management Analyst | Management | $98,200 | Detroit | $98,200 | 6,650 |
| 28 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $98,180 | Detroit | $98,180 | 4,660 |
| 29 | Network Architect | Technology | $97,470 | Detroit | $97,470 | 3,110 |
| 30 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $88,980 | Detroit | $88,980 | 44,280 |
| 31 | Web Developer | Technology | $88,140 | Detroit | $88,140 | 700 |
| 32 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $85,690 | Detroit | $85,690 | 4,080 |
| 33 | Architect | Engineering | $83,800 | Detroit | $83,800 | 1,560 |
| 34 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $82,460 | Detroit | $82,460 | 1,800 |
| 35 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $81,540 | Detroit | $81,540 | 3,440 |
| 36 | Plumber | Trades | $81,480 | Detroit | $81,480 | 5,590 |
| 37 | Electrician | Trades | $80,330 | Detroit | $80,330 | 11,840 |
| 38 | Accountant | Finance | $80,320 | Detroit | $80,320 | 20,750 |
| 39 | Loan Officer | Finance | $76,710 | Detroit | $76,710 | 6,340 |
| 40 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $75,830 | Detroit | $75,830 | 9,810 |
| 41 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $75,780 | Detroit | $75,780 | 280 |
| 42 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $75,780 | Detroit | $75,780 | 10,970 |
| 43 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $66,030 | Detroit | $66,030 | 840 |
| 44 | Carpenter | Trades | $65,060 | Detroit | $65,060 | 9,000 |
| 45 | Paralegal | Legal | $64,490 | Detroit | $64,490 | 4,320 |
| 46 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $63,740 | Detroit | $63,740 | 18,370 |
| 47 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $62,850 | Detroit | $62,850 | 3,270 |
| 48 | Writer/Author | Creative | $61,670 | Detroit | $61,670 | 300 |
| 49 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $58,840 | Detroit | $58,840 | 2,430 |
| 50 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $52,450 | Detroit | $52,450 | 3,720 |
| 51 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $50,700 | Detroit | $50,700 | 8,710 |
| 52 | Welder | Trades | $50,250 | Detroit | $50,250 | 5,240 |
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 $386,110 workers across the $52 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 Computer and Information Systems Manager 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 Computer and Information Systems Manager with a state median salary of $166,010. The top-paying metro for this role is Detroit at $166,010 median. The role employs roughly 7,990 workers across Michigan.
25 of the 52 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 52 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Michigan is $96,947. 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 $102,049.
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 2024 data.