Economist salary in Michigan
Economists in Michigan earn a median of $106,350 a year ($51.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,170 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $124,720. Michigan ranks 23rd of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.07 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $117,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,860 | $35.03 |
| 25th percentile | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| Median | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| 75th percentile | $150,000 | $72.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,170 | $85.66 |
| Average (mean) | $117,980 | $56.72 |
Half of economists 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 | $8,862.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,431.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,090.38 |
| Weekly | $2,045.19 |
| Hourly | $51.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $128,960 | 50 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $106,350 | 110 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $88,320 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for economists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,590 |
| New Jersey | $167,550 |
| Delaware | $159,120 |
| Maryland | $144,680 |
| Kansas | $138,790 |
| Virginia | $137,590 |
| New York | $136,660 |
| North Carolina | $136,150 |
| Idaho | $131,270 |
| Alabama | $129,960 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Political Scientist | $86,290 | $41.49 |
| Survey Researcher | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Sociologist | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| Historian | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Chemist | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3011. 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 economist make in Michigan?
The median salary for economists in Michigan is $106,350 a year, or $51.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of economists in Michigan earn at least $178,170 a year. The top 25% earn $150,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,860 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $82,030 or less.
How many economists work in Michigan?
About 320 economists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.