The Place to Be for IT
In Detroit, manufacturing has gone high-tech. The Detroit Region is an IT hotbed, where the convergence of automotive manufacturing and software development is creating an environment where the IT sector thrives. Since 2009, IT job growth has outpaced the nation and the region is poised to continue this pace into 2025. The region’s highly recruited, educated, and skilled workforce helps businesses succeed. Each year, a few thousand computer science professionals graduate with certificates and degree from the many institutions throughout the region. These emerging professionals, employees, and businesses in the Detroit Region have access to the region’s unique local resources and support.
IT jobs have grown by 6.2% and are positioned to grow well into the future.
In the Detroit Region, nearly 70,000 individuals work in the IT Industry, which includes equipment and component manufacturing, software publishing, telecommunications, and other information services. The five year growth rate stands at 6.2% for the Detroit Region. The graphs below depict regional employment growth between 2001 and 2027.
By occupation, job growth in the Detroit Region has outpaced the state of Michigan and the nation since 2009. More than 100,000 individuals in the region are IT professionals as software developers, computer user support specialists, computer systems analysts, graphic designers, and computer-controlled machine operators. Source: EMSI
Within the Detroit Region, IT occupations grew by 12% and are expected to grow by another 4% by 2023. Source: EMSI
Top 5 Fastest Growing Occupations, 2014-2018
| Occupation | 2014 Jobs | 2018 Jobs | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Occupations, All Other | 4,207 | 6,512 | 2,305 | 55% |
| Information Security Analysts | 993 | 1,211 | 278 | 30% |
| Software Developers, Applications | 14,680 | 18,918 | 4,238 | 29% |
| Graphic Designers | 4,454 | 5,332 | 878 | 20% |
| Computer and Information Systems Scientists | 185 | 216 | 31 | 17% |
Top 10 Largest IT Companies in the Detroit Region, 2017
| Company | Location | Revenue ($000,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Syntel Inc. | Troy | 966.5 |
| Logicalis Inc. | Bloomfield Hills | 726.3 |
| MSX International Inc. | Detroit | 526.0 |
| Tata Technologies Ltd. | Novi | 424.0 |
| Acro Service Corp. | Livonia | 331.7 |
| Strategic Staffing Solutions Inc. | Detroit | 330.0 |
| Altair Engineering Inc. | Troy | 313.0 |
| HTC Global Services Inc. | Troy | 267.6 |
| Compuware Corp | Detroit | 250.0 |
| Stefanini Inc. | Southfield | 221.0 |
The Detroit Region is home to an educated and skilled workforce.
Nearly 60 institutions in the region offer computer and information sciences and support services certificates and degrees, graduating more than 2,600 candidates each year. The 10 leading institutions account for nearly 75% of the certificates and degrees earned in the Detroit Region.
10 Leading Computer and Information Technology Institutions in the Detroit Region by Certificates and Degrees Conferred, 2014
| Institution | Degrees Conferred | Certificates Conferred | Total Conferred |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor/Dearborn/Flint Campuses | 668 | 1 | 669 |
| Baker College – All Campuses | 253 | 13 | 266 |
| ITT Technical Institute – All Campuses | 208 | 0 | 208 |
| Washtenaw Community College | 66 | 69 | 135 |
| Wayne County Community College District | 33 | 92 | 125 |
| Macomb Community College | 93 | 20 | 113 |
| Oakland Community College | 62 | 37 | 99 |
| Wayne State University | 91 | 0 | 91 |
| Henry Ford Community College | 50 | 39 | 89 |
| Oakland University | 85 | 0 | 85 |
Unique local resources support emerging professionals, talented employees, and growing businesses throughout the Detroit Region.
Ann Arbor’s engine for economic development that provides entrepreneur education and training and a business incubator program for innovative start-ups and technology companies.
A provider of technology education in Detroit.
Michigan’s leading technology business association.
Detroit Labs Apprentice Program
An immersive training experience in software and mobile development with Detroit Labs.
A partnership between leading tech companies, workforce agencies, and educational institutions.
Local chapter of Healthcare Information and management Systems Society.
Local chapter of a nonprofit organization that provides affordable programs for adult women interested in learning web and software development.
Training program that offers 10-week coding boot camps.
Office and workshop rental space and business incubator.
Local Technology Management Council chapter.
Local chapter of worldwide association of IS governance professionals.
A networking and education organization for IT professionals.
An entrepreneurial certificate program administered by the College of Engineering at Lawrence Technological University.
Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow is a public-private partnership to develop and deploy advanced lightweight materials manufacturing technologies, and implement education and training programs to prepare the workforce.
America’s longest-running regional research and education network that serves educational communities in Michigan.
Michigan Council of Women in Technology
A non-profit organization that provides mentoring, networking, and support for women working in technology.
An equity crowdfunding platform unique to the state of Michigan.
The largest and most influential Michigan digital resource for entrepreneurial and technology news, insight, and community.
Center for Robotics and Advanced Automation
A SmartZone Business Accelerator focused on the IT sector.
Work space rentals for creative, socially conscious entrepreneurs in Detroit.
Gigabit internet currently available in Downtown Detroit and in the process of being expanded.
A Detroit organization committed to helping bridge the technology gender gap by providing women with the tools they need.
Society of Information Management – Detroit Chapter
Local chapter of IT leaders.
Detroit’s business innovation hub.
Telecommunications Association of Michigan
Michigan’s most effective trade association serving the telecommunications, broadband, and networking industry.
University of Michigan
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Center for Information Technology Integration (CITI), School for Information Labs
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Wayne State University
Department of Information Systems Management and Research Labs
Technology’s matchmaker for business.
