SOC 25-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — Southern Michigan
Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $61,300 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $63,970.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $61,300 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $63,970. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $48,430 and $76,230. The lowest tenth earn under $46,970, while the highest tenth earn more than $80,690.
The area has 1,980 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.64 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Bay City records the highest median at $74,010. Of the 361 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 131st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,970 | −26.6% |
| 25th | $48,430 | −24.3% |
| Median (50th) | $61,300 | −4.2% |
| 75th | $76,230 | +19.2% |
| 90th | $80,690 | +26.1% |
| Mean | $64,880 | +1.4% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bay City | $74,010 | 350 | |
| 2 | Saginaw | $73,810 | 740 | |
| 3 | Lansing | $72,930 | 1,730 | |
| 4 | Traverse City | $66,020 | 450 | |
| 5 | Flint | $65,620 | 1,340 | |
| 6 | Detroit | $65,210 | 18,390 | |
| 7 | Battle Creek | $65,090 | 500 | |
| 8 | Ann Arbor | $64,060 | 1,630 | |
| 9 | Jackson | $63,770 | 750 | |
| 10 | Kalamazoo | $63,450 | 1,180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southern Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $61,300 goes as far as $63,721 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,300as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,721US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,300 a year, 4.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,970 to $80,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,980 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bay City, at $74,010.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Southern Michigan, MI?
The median annual wage is $61,300, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $63,970, so pay in Southern Michigan, MI is 4.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southern Michigan, MI earns more than $80,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,970 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Bay City, at $74,010 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,980 jobs in this occupation in Southern Michigan, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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