Highest-paying jobs in Michigan
Answer
Emergency Medicine Physicians have the highest median pay in Michigan, $417,760 a year, followed by psychiatrists ($291,850) and chief executives ($255,560). The median for all jobs in Michigan is $49,270, 28th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 37th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $49,270
- 28th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $23.69
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 96.2
- Median worth $51,207 at US prices (37th)
- Jobs
- 4,403,730
- 721 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Michigan, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Michigan are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Michigan
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $417,760 | $200.85 | 910 | $335,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Psychiatrists | $291,850 | $140.31 | 560 | $281,870 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | Chief Executives | $255,560 | $122.86 | 4,950 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Nurse Anesthetists | $247,010 | $118.76 | 2,300 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 5 | Family Medicine Physicians | $214,070 | $102.92 | 3,770 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $209,650 | $100.79 | 880 | $292,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 7 | Pediatricians, General | $204,690 | $98.41 | 1,340 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 8 | Dentists, General | $169,930 | $81.70 | 3,620 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 9 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $166,930 | $80.25 | 14,820 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $163,760 | $78.73 | 16,010 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | $151,620 | $72.89 | 580 | $149,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $149,990 | $72.11 | 2,060 | $256,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 13 | Purchasing Managers | $142,120 | $68.33 | 2,780 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Financial Managers | $139,370 | $67.01 | 22,490 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Human Resources Managers | $138,930 | $66.79 | 5,890 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Marketing Managers | $138,510 | $66.59 | 6,620 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Pharmacists | $137,860 | $66.28 | 8,780 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 18 | Sales Managers | $136,870 | $65.80 | 17,950 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Optometrists | $135,650 | $65.21 | 1,410 | $136,570 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 20 | Physician Assistants | $131,510 | $63.23 | 6,310 | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| 21 | Nurse Practitioners | $131,450 | $63.20 | 8,290 | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| 22 | Database Architects | $131,000 | $62.98 | 1,390 | $139,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Lawyers | $130,520 | $62.75 | 16,620 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 24 | Natural Sciences Managers | $129,070 | $62.06 | 2,220 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $127,230 | — | 2,120 | $109,270 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Michigan without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $106,890 | $51.39 | 2,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Power Plant Operators | $105,820 | $50.88 | 1,220 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Gas Plant Operators | $100,500 | $48.32 | 540 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $99,140 | $47.67 | 560 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $99,100 | $47.65 | 8,180 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,140 | $47.19 | 3,290 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $96,890 | $46.58 | 2,240 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $90,650 | $43.58 | 2,220 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Millwrights | $89,190 | $42.88 | 2,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Real Estate Brokers | $82,510 | $39.67 | 1,150 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $80,190 | $38.56 | 14,120 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $80,170 | $38.54 | 3,490 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $78,960 | $37.96 | 760 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,850 | $37.91 | 6,640 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,180 | $37.59 | 16,660 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Michigan
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 112,310 | $44,690 | $21.49 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 111,010 | $34,640 | $16.65 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | Registered Nurses | 104,950 | $94,300 | $45.34 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 103,130 | $28,930 | $13.91 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 95,020 | $35,000 | $16.83 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Cashiers | 92,930 | $29,740 | $14.30 | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | Office Clerks, General | 88,030 | $44,820 | $21.55 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | General and Operations Managers | 85,860 | $99,530 | $47.85 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 82,730 | $35,930 | $17.27 | No formal educational credential |
| 10 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 79,410 | $38,860 | $18.68 | No formal educational credential |
| 11 | Customer Service Representatives | 71,310 | $43,950 | $21.13 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 65,790 | $36,050 | $17.33 | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Waiters and Waitresses | 65,090 | $37,760 | $18.16 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 60,800 | $57,180 | $27.49 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 15 | Software Developers | 43,460 | $125,570 | $60.37 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Nursing Assistants | 43,290 | $39,570 | $19.03 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 17 | Accountants and Auditors | 41,460 | $78,820 | $37.89 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 40,960 | $72,980 | $35.09 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 40,910 | $65,110 | — | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 40,830 | $46,020 | $22.12 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Michigan
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | 9.6× | 710 | $60,540 |
| 2 | Tool and Die Makers | 5.8× | 9,420 | $65,590 |
| 3 | Foundry Mold and Coremakers | 5.7× | 2,050 | $46,150 |
| 4 | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 5.2× | 5,030 | $60,950 |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 4.8× | 4,930 | $68,170 |
| 6 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 4.5× | 22,060 | $46,120 |
| 7 | Mechanical Engineers | 4.1× | 34,630 | $104,890 |
| 8 | Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | 4.0× | 18,440 | $39,830 |
| 9 | Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3.6× | 3,330 | $37,600 |
| 10 | Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 3.5× | 3,150 | $42,530 |
| 11 | Dietetic Technicians | 3.4× | 3,060 | $36,420 |
| 12 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3.3× | 1,540 | $46,680 |
What 137 careers pay in Michigan
Click a heading to sort
| Radiologist | $485,920 | 7 | $505,025 | $420,860 | 360 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $428,570 | 3 | $445,420 | $232,140 | — |
| Cardiologist | $419,030 | 16 | $435,505 | $496,010 | 340 |
| Dermatologist | $414,910 | 12 | $431,223 | $328,730 | — |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $413,450 | 17 | $429,706 | $358,550 | 200 |
| Orthodontist | $357,090 | 4 | $371,130 | $289,140 | 140 |
| Pathologist | $303,070 | 17 | $314,986 | $312,400 | 140 |
| Psychiatrist | $291,850 | 17 | $303,325 | $281,870 | 560 |
| CRNA | $247,010 | 23 | $256,722 | $236,590 | 2,300 |
| OB-GYN | $209,650 | 36 | $217,893 | $292,910 | 880 |
| Pediatrician | $204,690 | 29 | $212,738 | $210,040 | 1,340 |
| Dentist | $169,930 | 24 | $176,611 | $170,950 | 3,620 |
| HR Manager | $138,930 | 20 | $144,392 | $149,280 | 5,890 |
| Marketing Manager | $138,510 | 27 | $143,956 | $166,790 | 6,620 |
| Pharmacist | $137,860 | 34 | $143,280 | $140,910 | 8,780 |
| Optometrist | $135,650 | 23 | $140,983 | $136,570 | 1,410 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,510 | 37 | $136,681 | $135,880 | 6,310 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,450 | 26 | $136,618 | $132,300 | 8,290 |
| Lawyer | $130,520 | 28 | $135,652 | $159,670 | 16,620 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,960 | 25 | $134,030 | $134,960 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $126,670 | 17 | $131,650 | $123,220 | 1,390 |
| Software Engineer | $125,570 | 28 | $130,507 | $135,980 | 43,460 |
| Veterinarian | $125,390 | 28 | $130,320 | $130,100 | 2,030 |
| Nurse Midwife | $125,140 | 28 | $130,060 | $134,040 | 430 |
| Computer Engineer | $119,670 | 27 | $124,375 | $161,740 | 1,420 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $118,930 | 30 | $123,606 | $148,080 | 360 |
| Network Engineer | $112,040 | 35 | $116,445 | $134,050 | 3,210 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $107,570 | 36 | $111,799 | $123,860 | 16,060 |
| Lineman | $106,890 | 13 | $111,093 | $95,320 | 2,800 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $106,230 | 32 | $110,407 | $129,180 | 3,280 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,070 | 33 | $110,240 | $120,630 | 10,840 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,890 | 17 | $109,014 | $104,110 | 34,630 |
| School Principal | $104,020 | 29 | $108,110 | $105,870 | 9,610 |
| Construction Manager | $103,230 | 39 | $107,289 | $114,990 | 9,620 |
| Chemical Engineer | $103,230 | 33 | $107,289 | $125,040 | 670 |
| Meteorologist | $103,210 | 23 | $107,268 | $99,070 | 150 |
| Project Manager | $100,970 | 18 | $104,940 | $102,320 | 25,330 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $100,940 | 20 | $104,909 | $109,370 | 330 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,900 | 27 | $104,867 | $102,760 | 8,630 |
| Actuary | $100,640 | 35 | $104,597 | $130,000 | 570 |
| Data Scientist | $100,590 | 29 | $104,545 | $120,230 | 7,360 |
| Operations Manager | $99,530 | 32 | $103,443 | $105,770 | 85,860 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $99,140 | 27 | $103,038 | $109,910 | 560 |
| Web Developer | $98,470 | 11 | $102,342 | $92,650 | 1,580 |
| Audiologist | $97,790 | 22 | $101,635 | $95,780 | 250 |
| Radiation Therapist | $95,890 | 36 | $99,660 | $105,310 | 450 |
| Financial Analyst | $95,420 | 27 | $99,172 | $102,740 | 7,400 |
| Registered Nurse | $94,300 | 25 | $98,008 | $97,550 | 104,950 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $94,300 | 25 | $98,008 | $97,550 | 104,950 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $94,300 | 25 | $98,008 | $97,550 | 104,950 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $94,300 | 25 | $98,008 | $97,550 | 104,950 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $94,300 | 25 | $98,008 | $97,550 | 104,950 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $94,300 | 25 | $98,008 | $97,550 | 104,950 |
| Business Analyst | $93,640 | 37 | $97,322 | $101,860 | 13,010 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,100 | 46 | $95,721 | $100,840 | 7,760 |
| Detective | $90,650 | 24 | $94,214 | $93,790 | 2,220 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | 45 | $93,445 | $100,330 | 5,120 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $89,120 | 29 | $92,624 | $97,870 | 4,730 |
| Architect | $88,430 | 43 | $91,907 | $99,280 | 2,630 |
| Psychologist | $84,730 | 35 | $88,061 | $100,580 | 2,170 |
| MRI Technician | $84,620 | 36 | $87,947 | $95,480 | 1,270 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | 24 | $87,261 | $95,990 | 1,480 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,790 | 45 | $87,084 | $98,100 | 8,640 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $82,490 | 44 | $85,733 | $96,590 | 3,100 |
| UX Designer | $81,010 | 24 | $84,195 | $104,000 | 1,750 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $80,650 | 19 | $83,821 | $74,310 | 2,070 |
| Plumber | $80,190 | 9 | $83,343 | $63,800 | 14,120 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,850 | 31 | $82,989 | $82,280 | 4,520 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $79,150 | 18 | $82,262 | $76,780 | 330 |
| Train Conductor | $78,960 | 11 | $82,065 | $78,000 | 760 |
| Claims Adjuster | $78,850 | 17 | $81,950 | $78,000 | 6,640 |
| Accountant | $78,820 | 32 | $81,919 | $83,680 | 41,460 |
| Financial Advisor | $77,930 | 42 | $80,994 | $105,070 | 6,570 |
| Radiology Technician | $76,420 | 33 | $79,425 | $80,110 | 7,220 |
| Electrician | $76,270 | 14 | $79,269 | $63,190 | 23,530 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $74,900 | 34 | $77,845 | $79,870 | 3,380 |
| Loan Officer | $74,470 | 27 | $77,398 | $76,690 | 11,340 |
| Police Officer | $73,730 | 28 | $76,629 | $76,210 | 16,750 |
| Chiropractor | $71,220 | 39 | $74,020 | $79,200 | 1,270 |
| Massage Therapist | $70,960 | 9 | $73,750 | $58,450 | 2,410 |
| HR Specialist | $69,520 | 31 | $72,253 | $75,940 | 25,520 |
| TSA Officer | $67,390 | 14 | $70,040 | $66,770 | 1,070 |
| Nutritionist | $66,850 | 40 | $69,478 | $76,400 | 2,370 |
| High School Teacher | $66,030 | 25 | $68,626 | $72,040 | 25,540 |
| LPN | $65,460 | 22 | $68,034 | $64,400 | 10,880 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $65,110 | 23 | $67,670 | $63,970 | 40,910 |
| Correctional Officer | $64,020 | 17 | $66,537 | $58,940 | 8,220 |
| Surgical Technician | $63,320 | 26 | $65,810 | $64,650 | 3,840 |
| Flight Attendant | $62,490 | 7 | $64,947 | $63,580 | — |
| Paralegal | $62,170 | 24 | $64,614 | $62,890 | 7,730 |
| Insurance Agent | $61,900 | 22 | $64,334 | $62,280 | 12,160 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $61,690 | 18 | $64,115 | $59,350 | 10,100 |
| Carpenter | $61,680 | 19 | $64,105 | $60,580 | 18,590 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,670 | 43 | $64,095 | $68,380 | 4,520 |
| Court Reporter | $61,600 | 26 | $64,022 | $72,420 | 260 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,420 | 25 | $63,835 | $61,770 | 9,020 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $61,260 | 28 | $63,669 | $62,930 | 10,000 |
| HVAC Technician | $60,850 | 25 | $63,242 | $61,010 | 12,590 |
| Mortician | $60,450 | 14 | $62,827 | $55,010 | 810 |
| Chef | $60,070 | 32 | $62,432 | $62,470 | 5,360 |
| Librarian | $60,010 | 39 | $62,369 | $68,270 | 3,940 |
| Mail Carrier | $59,880 | 27 | $62,234 | $60,550 | 11,610 |
| Crane Operator | $59,740 | 43 | $62,089 | $68,080 | 1,310 |
| School Counselor | $59,440 | 37 | $61,777 | $64,330 | 9,170 |
| Interior Designer | $59,340 | 43 | $61,673 | $67,190 | 1,930 |
| Athletic Trainer | $59,280 | 39 | $61,611 | $62,520 | 870 |
| Real Estate Agent | $57,880 | 21 | $60,156 | $52,830 | 2,210 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,350 | 31 | $59,605 | $62,960 | 6,070 |
| Truck Driver | $57,180 | 35 | $59,428 | $58,640 | 60,800 |
| IT Support Specialist | $56,240 | 40 | $58,451 | $61,860 | 22,090 |
| Firefighter | $54,640 | 28 | $56,788 | $59,280 | 6,610 |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $54,620 | 16 | $56,768 | $72,990 | 80 |
| Auto Mechanic | $54,120 | 18 | $56,248 | $50,620 | 22,280 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $52,270 | 37 | $54,325 | $66,940 | 590 |
| Paramedic | $52,080 | 42 | $54,128 | $60,600 | 2,750 |
| Judge | $51,210 | 40 | $53,223 | $153,990 | 570 |
| Garbage Collector | $51,030 | 19 | $53,036 | $49,690 | 4,020 |
| Welder | $49,990 | 41 | $51,955 | $53,750 | 13,330 |
| Vet Tech | $49,710 | 11 | $51,664 | $47,380 | 2,550 |
| Construction Worker | $49,590 | 20 | $51,540 | $47,120 | 28,490 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,820 | 17 | $50,739 | $48,070 | 11,990 |
| Private Investigator | $48,650 | 28 | $50,563 | $51,220 | 850 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $48,120 | 41 | $50,012 | $51,140 | 4,890 |
| Bus Driver | $47,660 | 37 | $49,534 | $59,050 | 3,620 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $45,670 | 33 | $47,466 | $47,700 | 2,420 |
| Personal Trainer | $45,520 | 24 | $47,310 | $47,160 | 6,050 |
| Esthetician | $45,240 | 23 | $47,019 | $45,330 | 1,510 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,340 | 35 | $46,083 | $45,750 | 14,240 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,870 | 40 | $41,438 | $45,690 | 27,810 |
| EMT | $39,870 | 34 | $41,438 | $44,470 | 4,230 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,860 | 36 | $41,427 | $45,230 | 3,540 |
| CNA | $39,570 | 29 | $41,126 | $42,260 | 43,290 |
| Substitute Teacher | $39,500 | 17 | $41,053 | $41,670 | 3,600 |
| Nail Technician | $36,890 | 18 | $38,340 | $35,760 | 1,020 |
| Bartender | $36,780 | 17 | $38,226 | $34,340 | 21,100 |
| Barber | $35,490 | 22 | $36,885 | $38,210 | — |
| Cosmetologist | $34,820 | 27 | $36,189 | $35,790 | 8,970 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.