Economist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Economists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $106,350 a year ($51.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,280 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $106,350. There are 0.06 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $118,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,830 | $32.61 |
| 25th percentile | $78,200 | $37.60 |
| Median | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| 75th percentile | $148,660 | $71.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,280 | $92.92 |
| Average (mean) | $118,230 | $56.84 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $106,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Economist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $128,960 | 50 |
| 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 |
See Economist pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,080 | $39.46 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $129,420 | $62.22 |
| Survey Researcher | $83,190 | $40.00 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $64,860 | $31.19 |
| Political Scientist | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemist | $85,770 | $41.23 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,420 | $27.61 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science 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 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for economists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $106,350 a year, or $51.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of economists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $193,280 a year. The top 25% earn $148,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,830 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $78,200 or less.
How many economists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 110 economists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.