Lawyer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Lawyers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $134,980 a year ($64.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $246,420 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 3% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $130,520. There are 5.3 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $152,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| 25th percentile | $102,660 | $49.36 |
| Median | $134,980 | $64.89 |
| 75th percentile | $178,570 | $85.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $246,420 | $118.47 |
| Average (mean) | $152,950 | $73.54 |
Half of lawyers 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 | $11,248.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,624.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,191.54 |
| Weekly | $2,595.77 |
| Hourly | $64.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $132,920 | 640 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $129,360 | 1,430 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $128,610 | 1,130 |
| Niles, MI | $123,030 | 110 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $112,400 | 330 |
| Flint, MI | $107,830 | 260 |
| Traverse City, MI | $107,460 | 190 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $104,770 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $104,760 | 200 |
| Monroe, MI | $104,020 | 70 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $103,050 | 280 |
| Bay City, MI | $101,540 | 60 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $97,300 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $127,860 | $61.47 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $87,370 | $42.01 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $67,120 | $32.27 |
More: Legal 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 23-1011. 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 lawyer make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for lawyers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $134,980 a year, or $64.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $246,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $246,420 a year. The top 25% earn $178,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,730 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $102,660 or less.
How many lawyers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 10,110 lawyers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.