By State · Michigan

Women in Michigan: Pay, Representation, and Firsts

Everything the data says about women in Michigan — pay, legislature representation, historical firsts, and how the state ranks against the rest of the US.

79.1%
Women’s earnings as % of men’s in Michigan
Census ACS S2001
#37
of 51 US jurisdictions for pay equity (1 = highest)
Computed from state ratios
41.9%
Women in the Michigan state legislature
CAWP Rutgers 2024
#7
Rank for women’s legislative representation
Computed from CAWP data
5
Women from Michigan in 119th US Congress
CAWP 2025
2003
Year of first woman governor
CAWP State Executive

Where Michigan sits

Women in Michigan earn 79.1 cents for every dollar men earn — a gap of 20.9%. That puts Michigan #37 out of the 51 US jurisdictions on pay equity. The women-in-legislature figure of 41.9% ranks Michigan #7 nationally — above 40%, a high-representation state.

Notable firsts & figures

Debbie Stabenow (Senate 2001-25) — Senate Agriculture Committee chair. Jennifer Granholm (2003-11) — first woman governor. Gretchen Whitmer (2019-present).

Professions in Michigan

State-adjusted pay and gap figures for women in 20 common professions in Michigan. Each page combines national BLS medians with Michigan’s Census ACS wage environment.

SurgeonsWomen surgeons in MichiganDoctorsWomen doctors in MichiganLawyersWomen lawyers in MichiganRegistered NursesWomen nurses in MichiganSoftware DevelopersWomen software developers in MichiganChief ExecutivesWomen CEOs in MichiganEngineersWomen engineers in MichiganElementary TeachersWomen teachers in MichiganAccountantsWomen accountants in MichiganProfessorsWomen professors in MichiganDentistsWomen dentists in MichiganPharmacistsWomen pharmacists in MichiganArchitectsWomen architects in MichiganPsychologistsWomen psychologists in MichiganAirline PilotsWomen airline pilots in MichiganElectriciansWomen electricians in MichiganPlumbersWomen plumbers in MichiganPolice OfficersWomen police officers in MichiganJournalistsWomen journalists in MichiganFinancial AnalystsWomen financial analysts in Michigan

Fields in Michigan

AcademiaWomen in Academia in MichiganConstruction and the Skilled Trades (2026)Women in Construction and the Skilled Trades (2026) in MichiganEngineeringWomen in Engineering in MichiganFinanceWomen in Finance in MichiganLawWomen in Law in MichiganMedicineWomen in Medicine in MichiganSportsWomen in Sports in MichiganTechWomen in Tech in MichiganUS PoliticsWomen in US Politics in Michigan

Related national data

HistoricalWomen at work, 2000 NationalWomen in US politics ToolPay Gap Lookup (Michigan) CompareWomen vs men at work HubAll 51 US states

Frequently asked

What is the gender pay gap in Michigan?

Women in Michigan earn 79.1% of what men earn — a gap of 20.9%. Census ACS S2001 data.

How many women are in Michigan’s state legislature?

41.9% of Michigan state legislators are women — rank #7 nationally among 51 US jurisdictions (CAWP 2024).

Has Michigan elected a woman governor?

Yes — the first woman governor of Michigan took office in 2003.

Has Michigan elected a woman US Senator?

Yes — the first woman US Senator from Michigan took office in 2001.

How many women does Michigan send to Congress?

5 women from Michigan serve in the 119th US Congress (House + Senate, 2025-27).