Bookkeeper salary in Detroit, MI
Median pay, Detroit metro
$51,480/year
about $24.75 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $44,720 – $60,340
Half of bookkeepers in the Detroit metro area earn more than $51,480 a year and half earn less. That's 2% higher than the national median of $50,670, and ranks #18 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| 25th | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Median (50th) | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| 75th | $60,340 | $29.01 |
| 90th (top earners) | $71,570 | $34.41 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a bookkeeper job in the Detroit metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $44,720 ($21.50/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $44,720 to $60,340 ($21.50 to $29.01/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $60,340 ($29.01/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask which software you'd use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite). Experience with it can support a higher offer.
- Full-charge bookkeepers who handle everything through month-end close usually earn more than clerks.
- Part-time and contract bookkeeping is common, so compare by hourly rate.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Detroit metro. Occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.