Computer Programmer Salary in Detroit, MI
Computer Programmers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median $87,860 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,156 take-home, or $5,596 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer programmer salary in Detroit, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,499
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,447
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,274
- Michigan income tax$3,483
- Take-home pay$67,156
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.25% state
Computer Programmer pay by experience in Detroit, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,400 | $28.56 | $47,634 | $3,970 |
| 25th percentile | $74,730 | $35.93 | $58,477 | $4,873 |
| Median (50th) | $87,860 | $42.24 | $67,156 | $5,596 |
| 75th percentile | $107,470 | $51.67 | $80,118 | $6,677 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,640 | $65.69 | $99,103 | $8,259 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $87,860 buys in Detroit, MI
Prices in Detroit, MI are 0.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 5% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer programmer's $67,156 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,957 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Detroit, MI has 1.2× the national concentration of computer programmer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer programmers, adjusted for cost of living
Detroit, MI ranks #31 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville, AR | $136,880 | $99,698 | $109,135 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $141,920 | $101,903 | $99,180 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $154,920 | $104,962 | $95,054 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $128,900 | $93,144 | $86,033 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $130,390 | $92,273 | $84,744 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $134,130 | $92,956 | $83,080 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $101,830 | $76,619 | $82,793 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $118,000 | $85,342 | $81,416 |
| 31 | Detroit, MI | $87,860 | $67,156 | $66,957 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Detroit, MI?
The median computer programmer salary in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $87,860 a year, or about $42.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $74,730 and $107,470.
What is a computer programmer’s take-home pay in Detroit, MI?
On the median $87,860 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $67,156 a year ($5,596 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,483 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a computer programmer?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $100,390. Local prices are 0.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,957 would in a typical U.S. city. Detroit, MI ranks #31 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer programmer afford rent in Detroit, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Detroit, MI is $1,128 a month ($1,413 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median computer programmer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Detroit, MI
- Database Architect — $132,040
- Software Developer — $130,760
- Computer Network Architect — $128,830
- Database Administrator — $110,160
- Information Security Analyst — $108,990
- Web Developer — $108,550
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $107,560
- Computer Systems Analyst — $103,670
- Data Scientist — $103,330
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $102,390
- Web and Digital Interface Designer — $99,450
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $96,400