Expert Civil Engineer salary in Detroit, MI
Based on 12 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Dearborn, Novi, Farmington Hills, Wixom, Southfield.
Also listed as: Structural Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $108,931 |
| 25th | $116,684 |
| 50th (median) | $119,652 |
| 75th | $130,265 |
| 90th | $153,168 |
Cost of living
Detroit's median expert Civil Engineer salary of $119,652 is worth about $119,300 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Detroit = 100.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Civil Engineers in the Detroit, MI area earned a median of $92,550 in May 2025 (3,870 employed). The H-1B median here is $119,652, 29% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| WSP | too few | 5 |
| Ghafari Associates | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $66,737 | 45 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $85,631 | 40 |
| Senior · Level III | $96,840 | 22 |
| Expert · Level IV | $119,652 | 12 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $62,379 | $66,737 | 45 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $76,274 | $85,631 | 40 |
| Senior · Level III | $90,147 | $96,840 | 22 |
| Expert · Level IV | $108,514 | $119,652 | 12 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.