What Is the Average Salary in Michigan?

Understanding average salary levels provides insight into an area’s economic landscape. This overview clarifies what constitutes an “average salary” in Michigan and explores factors influencing earning capabilities across the state.

Understanding the Overall Average Salary

The concept of an “average salary” can be misleading, as it is an aggregate figure that may not reflect individual situations. In Michigan, the average annual salary was approximately $58,000 in 2024, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. This figure broadly measures earnings across all occupations and experience levels. For a more nuanced view, the median income for households in Michigan was about $71,149 in 2023, and the median salary for full-time workers was $58,925. The median wage for all Michigan occupations in 2024 was $23.22 per hour.

The median wage indicates that half of all workers earn more than this amount and half earn less. This offers a central point less affected by extremely high or low earners than a simple average.

Key Influencers of Salary Levels

Several factors shape an individual’s earning potential within Michigan’s job market. Education plays a substantial role; higher degrees correlate with increased salaries. In 2024, individuals with a bachelor’s degree had a median salary of $63,077, while those with a graduate or professional degree earned a median of $78,984. This contrasts with a median salary of $35,865 for high school graduates.

Years of experience also directly influence compensation. As professionals gain expertise and tenure, their value to employers rises, leading to higher wages. Specific skills and certifications, especially in high-demand areas, can further enhance earning power. Michigan’s economic health, including job growth and industry expansion, affects salary levels by influencing labor demand and competitive compensation.

Demand for certain professions is another determinant. Occupations experiencing high demand due to labor shortages or rapid industry growth often command higher salaries as employers compete for talent. For example, the information sector had the highest average weekly earnings at $1,623 per week as of May 2025. Conversely, fields with an abundant labor supply may see slower wage growth.

Salaries Across Different Industries and Occupations

Salaries in Michigan vary considerably across industries and job roles, reflecting the state’s diverse economic sectors. In the manufacturing industry, a historical cornerstone, the average wage for production jobs was approximately $49,730 in 2024, with a median of $45,470. The broader manufacturing cluster, including engineering, had a higher average salary of over $71,700. For instance, a Manufacturing Engineer I earned an average of $77,850 in August 2025.

The healthcare sector also presents a wide range of salaries. Registered Nurses (RNs) earned an average of $76,710 in 2024, or about $36.88 per hour. More advanced nursing roles, such as Nurse Practitioners, averaged $109,150 per year, and Nurse Anesthetists earned $218,240 annually. Other healthcare positions, like Registered Dietitians, had an average salary of approximately $75,740 in 2025.

Within the technology and information sector, salaries are generally competitive. Software Engineers had an average total compensation of $115,000, with a median of $135,000 annually as of 2025. Software Developers earned an average annual pay of $97,484 in August 2025. For general IT professionals, the average annual pay in Michigan was around $95,620 in August 2025.

In the education field, teacher salaries in Michigan have faced challenges. The average starting salary for Michigan teachers was $41,645 during the 2023-2024 school year. The overall average teacher salary in Michigan was $64,884 in the 2021-2022 school year, which was below the national average. A High School Teacher, specifically, earned an average annual salary of around $54,000 in August 2025.

Regional Salary Differences

Average salaries in Michigan exhibit notable variations across different geographic regions, largely influenced by local economic conditions and industry concentrations. Metropolitan areas, with their denser populations and more diverse job markets, typically report higher average earnings compared to rural or less economically developed regions. For example, Ann Arbor was Michigan’s highest-ranked Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) by median wage in 2024, with Detroit, Midland, and Lansing also showing higher median wages.

Specific county-level data from the fourth quarter of 2024 further illustrates these disparities in weekly wages. Oakland County reported an average weekly wage of $1,581, while Midland County saw an average of $1,438. Genesee County had an average weekly wage of $1,127. In contrast, some of the lowest average weekly wages were found in more rural counties, such as Keweenaw, which reported $690.

These regional differences often stem from factors such as the cost of living, the concentration of high-paying industries, and population density. Areas with a higher cost of living, such as major urban centers like Detroit or Ann Arbor, often compensate with higher salaries to attract and retain talent. The presence of large corporations, research institutions, or specialized industries can also drive up average wages in specific regions. Conversely, areas with fewer employment opportunities or a predominance of lower-wage industries tend to have lower average salaries.