Lawyers in Michigan. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Michigan lawyers posted a median annual wage of $126,600 in 2024, about 15% below the US median of $149,496. The average wage of $148,340 sits well above the median, which tells us a smaller group of high-earning attorneys pulls the average up. Partners at large firms, senior litigators, and corporate counsel make enough to move that number substantially.
The spread from the 10th to the 75th percentile runs from $64,420 to $166,800, a gap of over $100,000 within the same occupation in the same state. That range reflects how much variation exists by practice area, firm size, and years in. A first-year associate at a small regional firm and a senior partner at a Detroit litigation shop are technically the same occupation in BLS data.
Michigan's cost-of-living index sits at 92.9, meaning prices here run about 7% below the national average. After adjusting for that, the $126,600 median translates to roughly $136,300 in national-baseline purchasing terms. That narrows the gap with the US median considerably. On paper, Michigan lawyers earn less. In practice, what that pay covers goes further than the headline suggests.
BLS projects average growth of 4.2% for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, in line with most other professions. No surge, no contraction.
Salary distribution
Where Michigan lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $100,160 and $172,340, with a median of $130,520.
Lawyers in Michigan: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 19 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $162,500. 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 | 5 | $105,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 7 | $115,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $244,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 5 | $200,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Lawyers in Michigan. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson Wright PLLC | Attorney | 2 | $105,000 |
| Miller Johnson Snell & Cummiskey | Associate Attorney | 2 | $166,250 |
| Pacston Corporation | Associate Attorney | 2 | $112,500 |
| Renesas Electronics America Inc. | Corporate Counsel | 2 | $195,000 |
| TD Bank, National Association | Senior Counsel | 2 | $240,450 |
| Anderson Law 2 PLLC | Law Clerk/Associate | 1 | $145,600 |
| Bevilacqua PLLC | Senior Associate | 1 | $200,000 |
| Brennan, Manna & Diamond | Associate Attorney | 1 | $107,307 |
| Honigman LLP | Attorney (Public Company Practice Group) | 1 | $310,000 |
| Hurwitz Law PLLC | Lawyer | 1 | $105,394 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Senior Counsel at TD Bank, National Association$244,000SouthfieldWage Level IIIDecided —I-200-26084-730556
- Attorney (Public Company Practice Group) at Honigman LLP$310,000DetroitWage Level IVDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26044-639277
- Attorney at Dickinson Wright PLLC$105,000Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Jan 2, 2026I-200-25357-506788
- Immigration Attorney at N. Peter Antone, P.C.$92,329Bingham FarmsDecided Dec 22, 2025I-200-25349-482128
- Corporate Counsel at Renesas Electronics America Inc.$195,000Farmington HillsWage Level IVDecided Dec 22, 2025I-200-25349-482749
- Senior Associate at Bevilacqua PLLC$200,000Grand RapidsWage Level IVDecided Dec 3, 2025I-200-25329-438108
- Legal Associate at Varnum LLP$195,000BirminghamWage Level IVDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25308-371541
- Associate Attorney at Brennan, Manna & Diamond$107,307Suite 600Wage Level IIDecided Jun 24, 2025I-200-25167-096034
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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Lawyers 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.
Lawyers in Michigan, by industry
Median offered wage across 19 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $112,500.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Dickinson Wright PLLC | 14 | $112,500 |
| Manufacturing | Renesas Electronics America Inc. | 3 | $195,000 |
| Finance and insurance | TD Bank, National Association | 2 | $240,450 |
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
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Michigan
Metro-level salary data for lawyers in major Michigan metropolitan areas.
- Detroit$134,980
Compare Lawyers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Michigan with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Michigan?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Michigan is $130,520.
- How does Michigan compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Michigan median is -18.1% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Michigan?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,180 and the 90th-percentile at $238,370, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional 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.