Entry-level Systems Engineer / Architect salary in Detroit, MI
Based on 41 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Dearborn, Auburn Hills, Troy, Novi, Farmington Hills.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $62,525 |
| 25th | $63,752 |
| 50th (median) | $70,000 |
| 75th | $75,000 |
| 90th | $98,128 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $60,000 | $50,000 | $68,890 | 21 |
| FY2021 | $73,560 | $60,000 | $83,750 | 31 |
| FY2022 | $62,700 | $48,848 | $75,420 | 38 |
| FY2023 | $64,896 | $60,000 | $76,980 | 35 |
| FY2024 | $65,500 | $60,000 | $80,578 | 36 |
| FY2025 | $69,000 | $64,250 | $74,474 | 30 |
| FY2026 | $75,000 | $62,400 | $100,850 | 11 |
Cost of living
Detroit's median entry-level Systems Engineer / Architect salary of $70,000 is worth about $69,800 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 $70,000, 35% lower.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| United Wholesale Mortgage | too few | 5 |
| Meritek | too few | 4 |
| American Technology Consulting | too few | 2 |
| Flex-N-Gate Royal Oak | too few | 2 |
| Veenus Infotechs | 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 | $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.