CPA in Michigan

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MI. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$77,720

trending_down -4.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Michigan.

engineering

43,910

Jobs (MI)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

5+ years

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Michigan

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Michigan, candidates must meet the requirements set by the Michigan Board of Accountancy. This involves completing 150 semester hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and accumulating 2,000 hours of qualifying work experience. Michigan offers reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs who meet substantially equivalent requirements, and there is no minimum age to sit for the exam, but applicants must be at least 18 for licensure.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $50,240

25th percentile $62,260

50th (median) $77,720

75th percentile $100,020

90th (experienced) $130,320

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Michigan. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Michigan requirements

Licensing body	Michigan Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application fee	$300
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for licensure is 18. Michigan does not require a separate ethics exam for initial licensure, but ethics education is part of the continuing professional education. New licensees are exempt from CPE for the first 12 months. 2,000 hours of qualifying experience must be completed within a 1- to 5-year timeframe and verified by a licensed CPA. Experience more than five years preceding the application will not be counted.

Source: Michigan Board of Accountancy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,200 investment ÷ $77,720 median salary

check_circleMichigan license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a cpa in Michigan? expand_more

The path to cpa licensure in Michigan: complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($300 fee).

Is a cpa license required in Michigan? expand_more

You cannot practice as a cpa in Michigan without a state license from Michigan Board of Accountancy. The required exam is the Uniform CPA Examination.

How much does a cpa make in Michigan? expand_more

cpas in Michigan earn a median of $77,720 annually. That's roughly in line with the $81,680 national median. Wages range from $50,240 (10th percentile) up to $130,320 (90th percentile).

How much does it cost to become a cpa in Michigan? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about $1,200, factoring in exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($300) and required training.

How long does it take to become a cpa in Michigan? expand_more

Most candidates in Michigan complete the process in 5+ years, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

What are the continuing education requirements for cpas in Michigan? expand_more

Yes — cpas in Michigan must complete 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.

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