Technology Detroit, MI Pop. 639,111

Data Scientist Salary in Detroit, Michigan

The median data scientist salary in Detroit, MI is $95,058 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 2.2% below the Michigan state average.

City Median
$95,058
vs State Avg
$-2,160
vs National
$-12,962
Cost of Living
88%

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

Detroit offers a median data scientist salary of $95,058, which is $2,160 below the Michigan state average of $97,218. Compared to the national median of $108,020, 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 $95,058 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $108,020 in an average-cost city. This makes Detroit an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Detroit spans from $54,032 at the 10th percentile to $156,816 at the 90th percentile — a $102,784 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,360, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,200. 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 Scientist Salary in Detroit by Experience

In Detroit, an entry-level data scientist earns around $63,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,360
$-8,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$98,560
$-13,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,200
$-19,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Detroit, MI

Percentile Detroit
10th Percentile $54,032
25th Percentile $74,096
Median (50th) $95,058
75th Percentile $124,080
90th Percentile $156,816

Data Scientist Salary in Other Michigan Cities

Ann Arbor, MI
$113,421
Pop. 123,851
Grand Rapids, MI
$97,218
Pop. 198,917
Warren, MI
$95,058
Pop. 139,387
Lansing, MI
$92,897
Pop. 112,644

How to Become a Data Scientist in Detroit

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Detroit may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Detroit

Browse open data scientist positions in Detroit, MI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Detroit

How much does a Data Scientist make in Detroit, MI? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Detroit, Michigan is $95,058 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $54,032 (10th percentile) to $156,816 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Detroit? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,058, a data scientist in Detroit earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Detroit compare to the Michigan state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Detroit's median data scientist salary of $95,058 is 2.2% below the Michigan state average of $97,218. 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 scientist salary of $95,058 in Detroit has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Detroit? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Detroit require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.