Systems Engineer / Architect salary in Detroit, MI
Based on 1,087 certified H-1B filings in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Dearborn, Auburn Hills, Troy, Novi, Farmington Hills.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $83,242 |
| 25th | $84,198 |
| 50th (median) | $106,538 |
| 75th | $128,877 |
| 90th | $150,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $80,101 | $63,440 | $96,762 | 783 |
| FY2021 | $80,500 | $70,000 | $96,012 | 723 |
| FY2022 | $83,677 | $67,905 | $105,405 | 796 |
| FY2023 | $88,442 | $70,000 | $110,000 | 676 |
| FY2024 | $96,366 | $76,960 | $115,752 | 862 |
| FY2025 | $102,731 | $83,242 | $125,000 | 667 |
| FY2026 | $106,700 | $84,875 | $128,877 | 420 |
Cost of living
Detroit's median Systems Engineer / Architect salary of $106,538 is worth about $106,200 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Detroit = 100.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Systems Engineers/Architects in the Detroit, MI area earned a median of $107,560 in May 2025 (3,830 employed). The H-1B median here is $106,538, 1% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Cognizant | $106,538 | 215 |
| Tata Consultancy Services | $83,242 | 88 |
| Ford | $126,235 | 74 |
| Infosys | $84,198 | 44 |
| Wipro | $86,400 | 36 |
| HCLTech | $106,269 | 24 |
| Harman Becker Automotive Systems | $155,814 | 22 |
| Accenture | $136,390 | 16 |
| Aptiv US Services General Partnership | $121,816 | 14 |
| People Tech Group | $83,242 | 14 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $70,000 | 41 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $84,198 | 458 |
| Senior · Level III | $106,538 | 292 |
| Expert · Level IV | $131,020 | 290 |
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 | $63,752 | $70,000 | 41 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $83,242 | $84,198 | 458 |
| Senior · Level III | $106,538 | $106,538 | 292 |
| Expert · Level IV | $128,877 | $131,020 | 290 |
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.