Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Based on 30 certified H-1B filings in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Ann Arbor,.
Also listed as: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $70,000 |
| 25th | $77,029 |
| 50th (median) | $119,755 |
| 75th | $136,893 |
| 90th | $164,669 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 3 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2023 | $71,000 | $70,000 | $109,538 | 11 |
| FY2024 | $91,707 | $70,149 | $130,700 | 19 |
| FY2025 | $116,859 | $78,750 | $128,888 | 20 |
| FY2026 | $127,882 | $86,882 | $146,542 | 10 |
Cost of living
Ann Arbor's median Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $119,755 is worth about $118,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Ann Arbor = 100.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Ann Arbor, MI area earned a median of $151,110 in May 2025 (50 employed). The H-1B median here is $119,755, 21% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | $72,000 | 12 |
| Kla | too few | 9 |
| NVIDIA | 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 | too few | 8 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $120,095 | 16 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $89,003 | $120,095 | 16 |
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.
