SOC 19-3041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Sociologists — Michigan
Michigan · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Sociologists in Michigan is $88,040 per year, 17.0% below the national median of $106,030.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Sociologists in Michigan is $88,040 per year, 17.0% below the national median of $106,030. Half of workers earn between $64,180 and $153,130. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $52,520 and the ninetieth at $158,420.
Employment stands at 90, or 0.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Michigan ranks number 9th out of 11 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Lansing records the highest median at $64,180. Of the 774 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 151st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,520 | −50.5% |
| 25th | $64,180 | −39.5% |
| Median (50th) | $88,040 | −17.0% |
| 75th | $153,130 | +44.4% |
| 90th | $158,420 | +49.4% |
| Mean | $105,120 | −0.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing | $64,180 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $88,040 goes as far as $91,518 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$88,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$91,518US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $88,040 a year, 17.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,520 to $158,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 9th of 11 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lansing, at $64,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Sociologists in Michigan?
The median annual wage is $88,040, or $42.33 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 $106,030, so pay in Michigan is 17.0% 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 $158,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,520 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 Lansing, at $64,180 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 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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