Software Engineer I H-1B Salary in Detroit, MI
Employers have filed 80 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer I positions in Detroit, MI, with a median salary of $109,656. That's 11% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations, and 15% higher than the Detroit, MI all-roles H-1B median of $95,430. Software Engineer I ranks #13 among H-1B job titles filed from Detroit, MI.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer I H-1B roles in Detroit, MI, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,319 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Engineer I hiring.
Software Engineer I H-1B Salary Range in Detroit, MI
The pay distribution for this role spans $73,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $85,000 and $129,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer Is land. The median of $109,656 sits 11% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $65,000
- 25th percentile
- $85,000
- Median
- $109,656
- 75th percentile
- $129,000
- 90th percentile
- $138,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer Is in Detroit, MI
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer I in Detroit, MI, with 56 certified filings (70% of local Software Engineer I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $118,500. The pay spread across top employers is 82%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 82% ($65,000 at ROCK CENTRAL to $118,500 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 56 | $118,500 |
| ROCKET PARTNERSHIP | 12 | $85,000 |
| ROCKET MORTGAGE | 4 | $70,000 |
| ROCK CENTRAL | 3 | $65,000 |
| QUICKEN LOANS | 2 | $80,500 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Software Engineer I H-1B median across every U.S. location — a measure of how local cost-of-living and market demand shift pay up or down. The second is the all-roles H-1B median in Detroit, MI, which tells you whether Software Engineer I pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Engineer I H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Engineer I is an active H-1B role. Seattle, WA has the most filings (5,269) outside Detroit, MI. The highest median among these is East Palo Alto, CA at $146,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 5,269 | $125,000 |
| Austin, TX | 809 | $123,878 |
| New York, NY | 808 | $130,000 |
| Bellevue, WA | 740 | $129,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 697 | $143,200 |
| Arlington, VA | 508 | $129,000 |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 505 | $146,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 443 | $136,700 |
| Boston, MA | 401 | $120,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 271 | $109,656 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Detroit, MI
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Detroit, MI, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Software Engineer I role here (478 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Physician at a median of $200,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 478 | $90,000 |
| Software Engineer | 405 | $83,242 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 234 | $106,434 |
| Assistant Professor | 205 | $100,000 |
| Consultant | 203 | $96,408 |
| Software Engineer II | 183 | $97,032 |
| Architect | 134 | $110,000 |
| Manager | 125 | $109,000 |
| Physician | 125 | $200,000 |
| Data Engineer | 119 | $90,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I in Detroit, MI is $109,656, based on 80 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 11% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 15% higher than the overall H-1B median of $95,430 in Detroit, MI across all job titles.
Salaries span a $73,000 range from the 10th percentile ($65,000) to the 90th percentile ($138,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $85,000 and $129,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Detroit, MI, with 56 certified filings at a median salary of $118,500. The pay spread across top employers is 82%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Engineer I H-1B roles in Detroit, MI, answered directly from 80 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Every answer below cites the specific data point it's based on.
What is the average Software Engineer I salary in Detroit, MI?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I positions in Detroit, MI is $109,656, based on 80 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $65,000
- 25th percentile
- $85,000
- Median
- $109,656
- 75th percentile
- $129,000
- 90th percentile
- $138,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer I roles in Detroit, MI shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $65,000, while the 90th percentile earns $138,000. This $73,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Software Engineer I salaries in Detroit, MI are 16% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer Is in Detroit, MI?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer I positions in Detroit, MI are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer I roles specifically in Detroit, MI. AMAZON leads with 56 filings at a median salary of $118,500. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $65,000 to $118,500.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Detroit, MI?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Detroit, MI, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:
- Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
- The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
- Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
- If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work
Based on our data, 80 H-1B positions for Software Engineer Is in Detroit, MI have been certified, indicating strong demand for this role. The top sponsors listed above have a track record of successful H-1B sponsorship for this position.