Technology Detroit, MI Pop. 639,111

Data Engineer Salary in Detroit, Michigan

The median data engineer salary in Detroit, MI is $110,000 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 2.2% below the Michigan state average.

City Median
$110,000
vs State Avg
$-2,500
vs National
$-15,000
Cost of Living
88%

Data Engineer Pay in Detroit: What to Expect (2026)

Detroit offers a median data engineer salary of $110,000, which is $2,500 below the Michigan state average of $112,500. Compared to the national median of $125,000, Detroit pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Detroit's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $110,000 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $125,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Detroit an attractive option for data engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data engineers in Detroit spans from $68,640 at the 10th percentile to $167,200 at the 90th percentile — a $98,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,400, while senior data engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $158,400. As a major metro area with a population of 639,111, Detroit typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Engineer Salary in Detroit by Experience

In Detroit, an entry-level data engineer earns around $70,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $158,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,400
$-9,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$111,760
$-15,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$158,400
$-21,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Detroit, MI

Percentile Detroit
10th Percentile $68,640
25th Percentile $88,000
Median (50th) $110,000
75th Percentile $139,040
90th Percentile $167,200

Data Engineer Salary in Other Michigan Cities

Ann Arbor, MI
$131,250
Pop. 123,851
Grand Rapids, MI
$112,500
Pop. 198,917
Warren, MI
$110,000
Pop. 139,387
Lansing, MI
$107,500
Pop. 112,644

How to Become a Data Engineer in Detroit

Education

Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Detroit and the surrounding Michigan area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonSQLSparkAirflowAWS/GCPData Modeling

Job Outlook

Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Detroit may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Engineer Jobs in Detroit

Browse open data engineer positions in Detroit, MI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Engineer Salary in Detroit

How much does a Data Engineer make in Detroit, MI? ▼
The median data engineer salary in Detroit, Michigan is $110,000 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $125,000. Salaries range from $68,640 (10th percentile) to $167,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Engineer make per hour in Detroit? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $110,000, a data engineer in Detroit earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Detroit compare to the Michigan state average for data engineer pay? ▼
Detroit's median data engineer salary of $110,000 is 2.2% below the Michigan state average of $112,500. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Detroit, MI? ▼
Detroit has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a data engineer salary of $110,000 in Detroit has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data engineer in Detroit? ▼
Most data engineer positions in Detroit require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, SQL, Spark, Airflow. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.