Computer Programmer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Computer Programmers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $87,860 a year ($42.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,640 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 33% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $65,860. There are 0.72 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| 25th percentile | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Median | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| 75th percentile | $107,470 | $51.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,640 | $65.69 |
| Average (mean) | $94,570 | $45.47 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,321.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,660.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,379.23 |
| Weekly | $1,689.62 |
| Hourly | $42.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Traverse City, MI | $85,590 | 30 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $85,580 | 310 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $82,750 | 50 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $80,060 | 250 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $78,880 | 50 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $74,110 | 130 |
| Flint, MI | $67,300 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $130,760 | $62.87 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,040 | $28.38 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,670 | $49.84 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $107,560 | $51.71 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $96,400 | $46.35 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $102,390 | $49.22 |
| Computer Network Architect | $128,830 | $61.94 |
| Information Security Analyst | $108,990 | $52.40 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $72,600 | $34.90 |
| Web Developer | $108,550 | $52.19 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $99,450 | $47.81 |
| Database Architect | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Database Administrator | $110,160 | $52.96 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $136,720 | $65.73 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $87,860 a year, or $42.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $136,640 a year. The top 25% earn $107,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,400 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $74,730 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 1,380 computer programmers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.