Sociologist Salary in Michigan (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Sociologists in Michigan, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$88,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $106,030
State Rank
#9 of 11
90 employed here

How much does a Sociologist make in Michigan?

Sociologists in Michigan take home a median of $88,040 annually — roughly $42.33 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $106,030.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $52,520 while the top 10% make $158,420 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,180 and $153,130 a year.

Sociologist salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,520$25.25
25th percentile (early career)$64,180$30.86
50th percentile (median)$88,040$42.33
75th percentile (experienced)$153,130$73.62
90th percentile (top earners)$158,420$76.16

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 9th out of 11 states and territories for Sociologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Illinois$140,770
2Kentucky$136,870
3North Carolina$126,760
4California$125,770
5Alaska$108,170

Working as a Sociologist in Michigan

Nationally, about 2,000 people work as Sociologists in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare Michigan pay ($88,040) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Sociologist make in Michigan?
The median Sociologist salary in Michigan is $88,040 per year, or about $42.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,520 at the entry level to $158,420 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Sociologists about 17% less than the national median of $106,030. Michigan ranks 9th out of 11 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Sociologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $88,040 a year. About 90 Sociologists are employed in Michigan. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Sociologist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.