Chief Executive salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Chief Executives in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $304,110 a year ($146.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $604,220 for the top 10%. That is 42% higher than the national median of $213,990. Pay here is 19% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $255,560. There are 1.1 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $336,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chief executives in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,220 | $53.95 |
| 25th percentile | $172,730 | $83.04 |
| Median | $304,110 | $146.21 |
| 75th percentile | $450,450 | $216.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $604,220 | $290.49 |
| Average (mean) | $336,360 | $161.71 |
Half of chief executives earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $25,342.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $12,671.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $11,696.54 |
| Weekly | $5,848.27 |
| Hourly | $146.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chief Executive salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Midland, MI | $587,950 | 60 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $335,900 | 260 |
| Jackson, MI | $298,440 | 60 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $285,300 | 150 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $261,280 | 60 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $248,660 | 540 |
| Traverse City, MI | $248,510 | 60 |
| Bay City, MI | $247,680 | 40 |
| Monroe, MI | $244,760 | 40 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $211,560 | 60 |
| Niles, MI | $210,620 | 60 |
| Saginaw, MI | $200,190 | 90 |
| Flint, MI | $197,790 | 110 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $190,650 | 320 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $177,090 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
See Chief Executive pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $104,010 | $50.01 |
| Financial Manager | $160,240 | $77.04 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $168,550 | $81.03 |
| Sales Manager | $155,560 | $74.79 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $170,040 | $81.75 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $114,340 | $54.97 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $126,200 | $60.67 |
| Managers, All Other | $138,970 | $66.81 |
| Food Service Manager | $61,060 | $29.36 |
| Construction Manager | $109,890 | $52.83 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $110,160 | — |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Marketing Manager | $149,310 | $71.79 |
| Human Resources Manager | $149,980 | $72.11 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for chief executives in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $304,110 a year, or $146.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $604,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of chief executives in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $604,220 a year. The top 25% earn $450,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,220 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $172,730 or less.
How many chief executives work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 2,070 chief executives are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.