Computer Programmers pay range in Detroit
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $59,400 a year or less, while the top 10% make $136,640 or more. The middle half of computer programmers in Detroit earn between $74,730 and $107,470.
- $59K10th
- $75K25th
- $88KMedian
- $107K75th
- $137K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $94,570 | $7,881 | $45.47 |
| Median | $87,860 | $7,322 | $42.24 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $74,730 | $6,228 | $35.93 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $107,470 | $8,956 | $51.67 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Computer Programmers pay in Detroit vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Computer programmers in Detroit earn 21% more than the Michigan average ($77,870) and 10% less than the U.S. average ($105,170). At the median the gap is -12% against the U.S. median of $100,390.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $94,570 | $87,860 | $59,400 | $136,640 | 1,380 |
| Michigan | $77,870 | $65,860 | $35,600 | $127,850 | 4,400 |
| United States | $105,170 | $100,390 | $57,710 | $160,460 | 92,230 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Computer Programmers salary after taxes in Detroit
On the average salary of $94,570, a single filer in Detroit takes home about $69,457 a year, or $5,788 a month and $2,671 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Is Detroit a good place for computer programmers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Detroit area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.3), so the average $94,570 buys what about $94,289 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Detroit ($52,080). A typical home costs $269,080, or 2.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Computer Programmers salary in other Michigan cities
Detroit ranks 1st of 7 Michigan metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Detroit$94,570
- Traverse City$88,790
- Kalamazoo$87,730
- Grand Rapids$87,050
- Ann Arbor$86,980
- Lansing$80,240
- Flint$71,060
Highest-paying cities for computer programmers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($150,780).
- San Jose, CA$150,780
- Boulder, CO$139,840
- Portland, ME$138,860
- Fayetteville, AR$130,080
- San Diego, CA$129,530
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Computer Programmers salary in Detroit: questions
How much do computer programmers make an hour in Detroit?
$45.47 an hour on average, and $42.24 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level computer programmers salary in Detroit?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $59,400 a year and the 25th percentile is $74,730, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the computer programmers take-home pay in Detroit?
About $69,457 a year ($5,788 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $94,570. Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Do computer programmers earn more in Detroit than elsewhere?
The average here is 10% less than the U.S. average for this job ($105,170).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 15-1251; area Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI (19820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.22, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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