Economists pay range in Detroit
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $67,830 a year or less, while the top 10% make $193,280 or more. The middle half of economists in Detroit earn between $78,200 and $148,660.
- $68K10th
- $78K25th
- $106KMedian
- $149K75th
- $193K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $118,230 | $9,852 | $56.84 |
| Median | $106,350 | $8,862 | $51.13 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $78,200 | $6,517 | $37.60 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $148,660 | $12,388 | $71.47 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Detroit vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Economists in Detroit earn about the same as the Michigan average ($117,980) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is -15% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $118,230 | $106,350 | $67,830 | $193,280 | 110 |
| Michigan | $117,980 | $106,350 | $72,860 | $178,170 | 320 |
| United States | $142,130 | $124,720 | $67,360 | $238,060 | 17,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Economists salary after taxes in Detroit
On the average salary of $118,230, a single filer in Detroit takes home about $84,528 a year, or $7,044 a month and $3,251 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Is Detroit a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Detroit area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.3), so the average $118,230 buys what about $117,879 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Detroit ($52,080). A typical home costs $269,080, or 2.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in other Michigan cities
Detroit ranks 2nd of 3 Michigan metro areas for this job; Ann Arbor pays the most ($131,430).
Highest-paying cities for economists
New York, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($184,860).
- New York, NY$184,860
- Washington, DC$166,140
- Durham, NC$159,310
- St. Louis, MO$156,690
- Los Angeles, CA$155,860
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Economists salary in Detroit: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Detroit?
$56.84 an hour on average, and $51.13 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Detroit?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $67,830 a year and the 25th percentile is $78,200, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Detroit?
About $84,528 a year ($7,044 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $118,230. Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Do economists earn more in Detroit than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($142,130).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3011; area Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI (19820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 9.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.49, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.49).
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