Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in Detroit, MI
Based on 17 certified H-1B filings in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Troy, Dearborn, Warren, Pontiac, Canton.
Also listed as: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $107,908 |
| 25th | $129,334 |
| 50th (median) | $130,000 |
| 75th | $137,983 |
| 90th | $150,799 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $86,050 | $78,936 | $103,357 | 27 |
| FY2021 | $87,161 | $74,405 | $105,622 | 22 |
| FY2022 | $91,000 | $89,141 | $115,066 | 15 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2024 | $118,165 | $100,980 | $157,810 | 17 |
| FY2025 | $129,334 | $110,550 | $132,072 | 10 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 7 |
Cost of living
Detroit's median Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $130,000 is worth about $129,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Detroit = 100.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Detroit, MI area earned a median of $136,720 in May 2025 (150 employed). The H-1B median here is $130,000, 5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ford | too few | 4 |
| General Motors Company | too few | 3 |
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 | 2 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 2 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.