Mid-level Engineering Director salary in Detroit, MI
Based on 117 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Auburn Hills, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Dearborn.
Also listed as: Architectural and Engineering Manager, Manager Hardware Engineering
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $141,086 |
| 25th | $144,955 |
| 50th (median) | $146,000 |
| 75th | $155,000 |
| 90th | $161,077 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $124,829 | $121,763 | $133,875 | 45 |
| FY2021 | $126,569 | $123,968 | $132,450 | 40 |
| FY2022 | $132,632 | $127,837 | $141,187 | 82 |
| FY2023 | $135,000 | $125,362 | $140,400 | 57 |
| FY2024 | $142,500 | $132,650 | $150,548 | 69 |
| FY2025 | $145,200 | $141,086 | $153,360 | 77 |
| FY2026 | $147,413 | $144,955 | $155,575 | 40 |
Cost of living
Detroit's median mid-level Engineering Director salary of $146,000 is worth about $145,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Detroit = 100.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Detroit, MI area earned a median of $168,550 in May 2025 (9,260 employed). The H-1B median here is $146,000, 13% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fca | $153,180 | 28 |
| Magna Electronics | too few | 7 |
| American Axle & Manufacturing | too few | 6 |
| Valeo North America | too few | 6 |
| Ford | too few | 4 |
| Hitachi Astemo Americas | too few | 4 |
| Aptiv US Services General Partnership | too few | 3 |
| Robert Bosch | too few | 3 |
| Siemens | too few | 2 |
| Adient | 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 | $126,909 | 48 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $146,000 | 117 |
| Senior · Level III | $169,585 | 78 |
| Expert · Level IV | $194,100 | 69 |
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 | $123,136 | $126,909 | 48 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $141,086 | $146,000 | 117 |
| Senior · Level III | $166,795 | $169,585 | 78 |
| Expert · Level IV | $181,813 | $194,100 | 69 |
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.