Mechanical Engineer Salary in Detroit, MI
Mechanical Engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median $109,470 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $81,440 take-home, or $6,787 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Detroit, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,253
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,787
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,587
- Michigan income tax$4,402
- Take-home pay$81,440
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.25% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Detroit, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,880 | $38.40 | $61,881 | $5,157 |
| 25th percentile | $98,770 | $47.49 | $74,368 | $6,197 |
| Median (50th) | $109,470 | $52.63 | $81,440 | $6,787 |
| 75th percentile | $133,410 | $64.14 | $97,033 | $8,086 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,030 | $77.42 | $114,737 | $9,561 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $109,470 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 mechanical engineer's $81,440 take-home pay has the buying power of $81,198 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 6.2× the national concentration of mechanical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Detroit, MI ranks #45 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | $100,221 | $110,400 |
| 2 | Beaumont, TX | $122,280 | $94,844 | $105,329 |
| 3 | Peoria, IL | $128,710 | $93,013 | $101,953 |
| 4 | Columbus, IN | $127,700 | $94,811 | $101,944 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $168,030 | $112,533 | $101,911 |
| 6 | Augusta, GA | $128,740 | $93,201 | $101,412 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $125,350 | $96,943 | $98,290 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $124,780 | $96,553 | $96,477 |
| 45 | Detroit, MI | $109,470 | $81,440 | $81,198 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Mechanical Engineer salaries elsewhere in Michigan
- Ann Arbor, MI — $127,310
- Niles, MI — $106,320
- Kalamazoo, MI — $101,830
- Lansing, MI — $98,550
- Grand Rapids, MI — $96,610
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Detroit, MI?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $109,470 a year, or about $52.63 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $98,770 and $133,410.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Detroit, MI?
On the median $109,470 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $81,440 a year ($6,787 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,402 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 0.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $81,198 would in a typical U.S. city. Detroit, MI ranks #45 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer 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) — 17% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Detroit, MI
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $129,990
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $128,650
- Engineers, All Other — $126,250
- Electrical Engineer — $114,390
- Industrial Engineer — $104,110
- Materials Engineer — $100,070
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $97,920
- Civil Engineer — $92,550
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other — $77,710
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $77,150
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $76,190
- Mechanical Drafter — $75,050