Software Engineer salary in Detroit, MI
Based on 4,974 certified H-1B filings in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Troy, Novi, Auburn Hills.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $96,122 |
| 25th | $102,190 |
| 50th (median) | $120,349 |
| 75th | $138,486 |
| 90th | $155,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $89,920 | $79,498 | $102,700 | 4,199 |
| FY2021 | $93,184 | $80,000 | $110,254 | 3,985 |
| FY2022 | $96,450 | $80,200 | $112,736 | 4,300 |
| FY2023 | $100,000 | $85,405 | $117,166 | 3,531 |
| FY2024 | $103,204 | $91,021 | $123,781 | 3,316 |
| FY2025 | $115,000 | $97,100 | $138,000 | 2,922 |
| FY2026 | $120,349 | $102,238 | $138,490 | 2,052 |
Cost of living
Detroit's median Software Engineer salary of $120,349 is worth about $120,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Detroit = 100.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Detroit, MI area earned a median of $130,760 in May 2025 (24,870 employed). The H-1B median here is $120,349, 8% 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 | $132,350 | 502 |
| General Motors Company | $146,417 | 373 |
| United Wholesale Mortgage | $115,000 | 168 |
| Robert Bosch | $140,068 | 102 |
| Rocket Limited Partnership | $120,500 | 77 |
| Miracle Software Systems | $112,986 | 65 |
| Systems Technology Group | $132,350 | 63 |
| Amazon | $152,100 | 60 |
| Fca | $139,134 | 60 |
| Megan Soft | $104,000 | 52 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $84,053 | 551 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $102,190 | 1,959 |
| Senior · Level III | $121,388 | 1,065 |
| Expert · Level IV | $144,061 | 1,298 |
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 | $79,373 | $84,053 | 551 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $97,032 | $102,190 | 1,959 |
| Senior · Level III | $120,349 | $121,388 | 1,065 |
| Expert · Level IV | $138,486 | $144,061 | 1,298 |
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.