SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 25-1099 · Michigan · Updated 2026

College Professor Salary in Detroit, MI

College Professors in Detroit, MI earn a median of $59,000/year, ranging from $45,430 (25th percentile) to $94,400 (90th percentile). After Michigan state taxes (4.25%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 89), this is equivalent to $66,292 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$59,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$45,430
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$75,520
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$94,400
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Detroit, MI

P25
P75
P25
$45,430
Median
$59,000
P75
$75,520
P90
$94,400

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$59,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$52,199
After 4.25% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$58,651
vs US average (COL index: 89)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Detroit, MI Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Detroit, MI (current)$59,00089$66,292
San Francisco, CA$96,000186$51,613
New York, NY$92,000187$49,198
Seattle, WA$94,000162$58,025
Boston, MA$85,000162$52,469
Austin, TX$77,000124$62,097

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average College Professor salary in Detroit, MI?

The median College Professor salary in Detroit, MI is $59,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $45,430 and the 90th percentile is $94,400.

Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a College Professor?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $59,000 College Professor salary in Detroit, MI is equivalent to $66,292 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89, meaning it is 11% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Michigan is approximately 4.25%.

What is the College Professor salary range in Detroit, MI?

In Detroit, MI, College Professors earn between $45,430 (25th percentile) and $94,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,000 per year.

How many College Professor jobs are there in Detroit, MI?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 22,500 College Professor positions in the Detroit, MI metropolitan area.

What do College Professors earn in Detroit, MI?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, College Professors in Detroit, MI earn a median annual wage of $59,000. The middle 50% earn between $45,430 and $75,520. The top 10% earn more than $94,400. There are approximately 22,500 College Professors employed in the Detroit, MI metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 2.8%.

Is Detroit, MI a good place for a College Professor?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100), making it 11% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a College Professor in Detroit, MI earning $59,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $66,292 relative to the US median. Michigan has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.25%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI's cost of living index is 89, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $59,000 in Detroit, MIhas the same purchasing power as $66,292 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare Detroit, MI with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.