Expert Data Engineer salary in Detroit, MI
Based on 74 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Troy, Canton, Novi.
Also listed as: Database Architect, Data Architect
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $134,992 |
| 25th | $140,629 |
| 50th (median) | $144,037 |
| 75th | $153,467 |
| 90th | $176,829 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2023 | $150,859 | $135,034 | $180,000 | 11 |
| FY2024 | $150,000 | $125,000 | $160,000 | 17 |
| FY2025 | $145,050 | $136,630 | $151,818 | 53 |
| FY2026 | $140,629 | $140,629 | $167,002 | 21 |
Cost of living
Detroit's median expert Data Engineer salary of $144,037 is worth about $143,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Detroit = 100.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Database Architects in the Detroit, MI area earned a median of $132,040 in May 2025 (730 employed). The H-1B median here is $144,037, 9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ford | $145,050 | 27 |
| Cognizant | too few | 4 |
| ChenMed | too few | 2 |
| Concept Reply | too few | 2 |
| Fca | too few | 2 |
| Henry Ford Health System | too few | 2 |
| RouteOne | too few | 2 |
| Satin Solutions | too few | 2 |
| Slalom | 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 | $77,896 | 21 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $103,761 | 70 |
| Senior · Level III | $121,500 | 42 |
| Expert · Level IV | $144,037 | 74 |
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 | $67,870 | $77,896 | 21 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $90,251 | $103,761 | 70 |
| Senior · Level III | $119,725 | $121,500 | 42 |
| Expert · Level IV | $134,992 | $144,037 | 74 |
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.