Registered Nurse salary in Detroit, MI
Median pay, Detroit metro
$97,280/year
about $46.77 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $82,470 – $104,150
Half of registered nurses in the Detroit metro area earn more than $97,280 a year and half earn less. That's about the same as the national median of $97,550, and ranks #22 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| 25th | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Median (50th) | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| 75th | $104,150 | $50.07 |
| 90th (top earners) | $110,650 | $53.20 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Detroit metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $82,470 ($39.65/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $82,470 to $104,150 ($39.65 to $50.07/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $104,150 ($50.07/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
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: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.