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Director Legal Salary in Detroit, MI
How much does a Director Legal make in Detroit, MI?
$246,548 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$29,536 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$272,577.45
Entry Level
$167,296
Median
$243,041
Senior Level
$318,929
As of July, 23, 2026, the average director legal gross salary in Detroit, Michigan is $246,548 or an equivalent hourly rate of $119. In addition, director legals earn an average bonus of $29,536. An entry level director legal with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $167,296. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level director legal with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $318,929. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in Detroit, Michigan.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Director Legal
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Director Legal in Detroit, MI for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Director Legal will be $253,428 in 1 year and $282,920 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$260,499
Average Growth
5.7 %
The estimated salary for a Director Legal in 2 years is $260,499, which is 5.7 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Director Legal Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Director Legals.
- 0% of Director Legals have less than a High School Diploma
- 0% of Director Legals have a High School Diploma
- 0% of Director Legals have an Associate's Degree
- 14% of Director Legals have a Bachelor's Degree
- 54% of Director Legals have a Master's Degree
- 32% of Director Legals have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for a Director Legal is Law.
See how education can impact your salaryPopular Skills for a Director Legal
Provides counsel
71%
Provides opinions
71%
Supervises activities
71%
Advises individuals
57%
Establishes controls
57%
Negotiates agreements
57%
These are the most popular skills for Director Legals. About 71% of Director Legals have a skill in Provides counsel. The top 3 most popular skills for Director Legals are provides counsel, provides opinions, and supervises activities.
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Director Legal Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in Detroit, MI
Director Legal Jobs
View moreCost of Living in Detroit, MI
The cost of living in Detroit, MI is 3% lower than the national average.
3% lower
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Director Legal do?
Directs and coordinates the organization's legal staff and activities. Oversees the development, revision, and compliance of the organization's policies and procedures with all applicable laws and regulations. Provides management with advice and counsel concerning laws impacting the organization's functional areas. Writes/reviews contracts, files for patents and copyrights, files and responds to lawsuits, and recommends outside counsel when necessary.
How much does a Director Legal make in Detroit, MI?
The average salary for a Director Legal is $246,548 per year or $118.53 per hour in Detroit, MI. Top earners have reported making up to $318,929. However, the typical pay range in Detroit, MI is between $167,296 and $318,929 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Director Legal?
Director Legal is projected to see a 14.8 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Director Legal salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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