SOC 15-1221 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Computer and Information Research Scientists — Michigan
Michigan · 3 metro areas compared
At $82,590, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Computer and Information Research Scientists, 41.1% beneath the national figure of $140,300.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $82,590, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Computer and Information Research Scientists, 41.1% beneath the national figure of $140,300. Pay ranges from under $66,700 at the tenth percentile to more than $159,500 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $82,590 to $133,350.
Employment stands at 530, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Michigan ranks number 35th out of 35 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Ann Arbor records the highest median at $151,110. Of the 774 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 180th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,700 | −52.5% |
| 25th | $82,590 | −41.1% |
| Median (50th) | $82,590 | −41.1% |
| 75th | $133,350 | −5.0% |
| 90th | $159,500 | +13.7% |
| Mean | $106,130 | −24.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Michigan
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $82,590 goes as far as $85,852 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 38.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$82,590as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$85,852US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $82,590 a year, 41.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $66,700 to $159,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 530 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 35th of 35 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ann Arbor, at $151,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Michigan?
The median annual wage is $82,590, or $39.71 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $140,300, so pay in Michigan is 41.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Michigan earns more than $159,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $66,700 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Ann Arbor, at $151,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 530 jobs in this occupation in Michigan. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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