Electrical Engineer Salary

Detroit vs Holland: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Detroit, MI and Holland, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$118,565
$57.01/hr
Holland, MI
$100,766
$48.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIHolland, MI
Median Salary$118,565$100,766
Hourly Rate$57.01$48.45
Entry Level (P10)$83,552$67,564
25th Percentile$101,318$79,495
75th Percentile$139,109$126,095
Top Earner (P90)$165,954$149,045
Total Employed6,0605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($118,565) and Holland ($100,766) electrical engineer salaries.DetroitHollandMedian Salary$118,565$100,766Entry Level (P10)$83,552$67,564Top Earner (P90)$165,954$149,045US Median $125,033

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Holland.

The salary gap between Detroit and Holland is $17,799 (17.66%). Detroit's median is -5.17% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $82,402,Holland spans $81,481. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$83,552
P25$101,318
Median$118,565
P75$139,109
P90 (Top)$165,954
Holland
P10 (Entry)$67,564
P25$79,495
Median$100,766
P75$126,095
P90 (Top)$149,045

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Detroit ($118,213 effective) pays 9.34% more than Holland ($108,118 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $118,565
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $118,213
Holland
Nominal: $100,766
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $108,118

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,565/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($165,954)
  • Larger job market (6,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $118,213)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Holland if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Detroit grew 22.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.1% growth in Holland over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+22.3%

$93,540 (2019) → $114,390 (2025)

Holland, MI

+1.1%

$96,187 (2024) → $97,218 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Detroit or Holland?

Detroit has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $118,565/year, compared to Holland at $100,766/year — a difference of $17,799 (17.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Holland?

Detroit electrical engineers earn $57.01/hr while Holland hygienists earn $48.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Holland as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Holland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $118,213, Holland = $108,118), job availability (6,060 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Detroit vs Holland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $83,552 in Detroit and $67,564 in Holland. The Detroit area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov