Software Engineer Salary in Michigan
Based on 7K+ workers in Michigan
Median Annual Salary (MI)
$105,680
$50.81/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
-0.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$51K – $161K
7K employed in Michigan
Software Engineer salary in Michigan averages $103,006 per year, based on data from 34 workers in the state. This figure falls approximately 8% below the national average for the role, indicating that software engineers in Michigan earn somewhat less than their counterparts across the United States. Understanding the local compensation landscape helps both employers and job seekers set realistic expectations.
Several factors influence Software Engineer salary in Michigan, including years of experience, specific technical skills, company size, and geographic location within the state. The local tech industry's maturity, cost of living compared to major tech hubs, and competition for talent also play significant roles in determining compensation packages. Workers should consider these variables when evaluating job offers in the region.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in Michigan
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,440 |
| 25th percentile | $74,640 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $105,680 |
| 75th percentile | $133,250 |
| 90th percentile | $160,830 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer in Michigan
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Michigan — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 18 | $120,411 |
| 2 | KPIT Technologies, Inc. | 17 | $105,000 |
| 3 | General Motors | 12 | $123,688 |
| 4 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 6 | $102,981 |
| 5 | Pentangle Tech Services LLC | 4 | $99,330 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Michigan
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Michigan.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $68,141 | 15 |
| Level II | Qualified | $90,338 | 80 |
| Level III | Experienced | $103,000 | 43 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $122,646 | 44 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in Michigan tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Michigan vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Michigan) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $85,090 |
| 2023 | $96,620 |
| 2024 | $102,300 |
| 2025 | $105,680 |
| 2026 (projected) | $109,172 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Michigan Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $85,090 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $96,620 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $102,300 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $105,680 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $109,172 | $110,195 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Michigan
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $74,640 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $105,680 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $133,250 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $160,830 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in Michigan
How other high-demand occupations in Michigan compare to Software Engineer ($105,680 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in MI | $163,760 | +55.0% | $78.73/hr |
| Database Administrator in MI | $131,000 | +24.0% | $62.98/hr |
| Software Developer in MI | $125,570 | +18.8% | $60.37/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in MI | $119,670 | +13.2% | $57.53/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in MI | $112,040 | +6.0% | $53.87/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in MI | $106,230 | +0.5% | $51.07/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in MI | $103,410 | -2.1% | $49.72/hr |
| Statistician in MI | $102,710 | -2.8% | $49.38/hr |
| Data Scientist in MI | $100,590 | -4.8% | $48.36/hr |
| Web Developer in MI | $98,470 | -6.8% | $47.34/hr |
| Network Administrator in MI | $92,750 | -12.2% | $44.59/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in MI | $86,630 | -18.0% | $41.65/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software engineers make in Michigan?
- The median salary for software engineers in Michigan is $103,006 per year, or approximately $50 per hour. This is about 8.2% below the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for software engineers in Michigan?
- Based on current data, software engineers in Michigan have a median salary of $103,006 per year, with salaries reaching up to $103,027 at the high end of the reported range.
Is Michigan a good state for software engineer salaries?
- Michigan's median software engineer salary of $103,006 annually falls 8.2% below the national average, so it offers slightly lower compensation compared to other states for this role.
How many software engineers are employed in Michigan?
- There are currently 34 software engineers employed in Michigan according to available labor data, representing a smaller concentration of this profession in the state.