Software Developer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Software Developers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $130,760 a year ($62.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 24,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,490 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 4% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $125,570. There are 13 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $128,200, close to the median.
Pay range for software developers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| 25th percentile | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| Median | $130,760 | $62.87 |
| 75th percentile | $153,270 | $73.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,490 | $80.53 |
| Average (mean) | $128,200 | $61.63 |
Half of software developers 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 | $10,896.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,448.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,029.23 |
| Weekly | $2,514.62 |
| Hourly | $62.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, MI | $130,220 | 390 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $126,830 | 2,740 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $126,050 | 190 |
| Bay City, MI | $124,420 | 90 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $118,100 | 430 |
| Niles, MI | $111,720 | 160 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $107,520 | 4,310 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $101,940 | 90 |
| Flint, MI | $101,750 | 260 |
| Saginaw, MI | $101,430 | 230 |
| Monroe, MI | $98,270 | 100 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $97,120 | 3,020 |
| Traverse City, MI | $95,860 | 140 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $95,500 | 350 |
| Midland, MI | $83,730 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
See Software Developer pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Programmer | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| 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 15-1252. 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 software developer make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for software developers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $130,760 a year, or $62.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of software developers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $167,490 a year. The top 25% earn $153,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,720 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $101,850 or less.
How many software developers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 24,870 software developers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.