folvr

University Professor Salary in Detroit, Michigan

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$74,254/ year

Median University Professor in Detroit, MI

$41,131
10th
$50,160
25th
$74,254
Median
$103,839
75th
$126,684
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$74,254
Total compensation (est.)
$85,392
Bonus range
$2,850 – $14,160
Mean salary
$78,709

How This Compares

Detroit, MI median
$74,254
Michigan median
$86,068-13.7%
National median
$84,380-12.0%

Cost of living in Detroit is 12% below the national average. Salary of $74,254 here is equivalent to $84,380 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$53,463-28.0%
3-5 years
$67,571-9.0%
6-10 years
$83,164+12.0%
10+ years
$102,471+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$65,344-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$74,254
Enterprise (5,000+)
$87,620+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$75K
$30K$500K

University Professor Salaries in Nearby Cities

Grand Rapids, MI$84,380/yr
Warren, MI$84,380/yr
Sterling Heights, MI$84,380/yr
Ann Arbor, MI$84,380/yr
Lansing, MI$84,380/yr

Related Jobs in Detroit

Elementary School Teacher$54,463/yr
High School Teacher$54,877/yr
Special Education Teacher$54,402/yr
School Counselor$54,780/yr
Instructional Designer$68,631/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$36/hr
Monthly gross$6,188/mo
25th percentile$50,160/yr
75th percentile$103,839/yr

Find University Professor jobs in Detroit

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Michigan Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.0%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

University Professor Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average University Professor salary in Detroit?

The median University Professor salary in Detroit is $74,254 per year, with a range from $50,160 at the 25th percentile to $103,839 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does University Professor pay in Detroit compare to the national average?

University Professor salaries in Detroit are 12% below the national median of $84,380. After adjusting for Detroit's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $84,380 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect University Professor salaries in Detroit?

In Detroit, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level University Professor roles start around $41,131, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $126,684 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Detroit a good place for University Professor jobs?

Detroit offers a University Professor median of $74,254, which is 12% below the US median of $84,380. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Detroit is 12% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher University Professor salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for University Professor in Detroit is $103,839, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.