Economists in Michigan. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Michigan economists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,030 and $150,000, with a median of $106,350.
Economists in Michigan: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $144,632. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $61,428 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $109,377 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $182,934 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $250,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Economists in Michigan. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematica, Inc. | Researcher | 1 | $204,400 |
| Michigan Department of Treasury | Economic Analyst 12 | 1 | $90,958 |
| Simon Group Holdings III, LLC | Chief Economist – Enterprise Planning & Strategy | 1 | $250,000 |
| University of Michigan | Research Area Specialist Lead | 1 | $127,795 |
| W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research | Economist | 1 | $161,468 |
| WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY | POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW | 1 | $61,428 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Economic Analyst 12 at Michigan Department of Treasury$90,958LansingWage Level IIDecided Mar 26, 2026I-200-26078-715071
- Chief Economist – Enterprise Planning & Strategy at Simon Group Holdings III, LLC$250,000BirminghamWage Level IVDecided Jan 2, 2026I-200-25357-506926
- Research Area Specialist Lead at University of Michigan$127,795Ann ArborWage Level IIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25120-924583
- Researcher at Mathematica, Inc.$204,400Ann ArborWage Level IIIDecided Apr 11, 2025I-200-25094-832999
- POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW at WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY$61,428DETROITWage Level IDecided Feb 25, 2025I-200-25049-701852
- Economist at W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research$161,468KalamazooWage Level IIIDecided Feb 21, 2025I-200-25044-690156
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Economists pay by experience level in Michigan
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Economists in Michigan, by industry
Median offered wage across 6 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $94,612.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | University of Michigan | 2 | $94,612 |
| Government and public sector | Michigan Department of Treasury | 2 | $170,479 |
| Professional services | Mathematica, Inc. | 2 | $182,934 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Michigan over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Master's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
- 02
Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals.
- 03
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
- 04
Supervise research projects and students' study projects.
- 05
Teach theories, principles, and methods of economics.
- 06
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
- 07
Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets.
- 08
Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+1.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Michigan
Metro-level salary data for economists in major Michigan metropolitan areas.
- Detroit$106,350
Compare Economists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Michigan with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Economists in Michigan?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Economists in Michigan is $106,350.
- How does Michigan compare to the national median for Economists?
- The Michigan median is -16.1% versus the BLS national figure of $126,812.
- What is the salary range for Economists in Michigan?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $72,860 and the 90th-percentile at $178,170, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Economists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 1.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Economists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.