ocity
💰 COL Index: 95 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Grand Rapids, MI

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$68,762
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$72,229
model average ÷ 95.2 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$155,350
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,142
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Grand Rapids?

$68,762 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$68,762/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,730/month
Household income context$70,258

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$155,350
💡 Purchasing-power model $163,183
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.69/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -1% vs national

Pharmacist

$134,071
💡 Purchasing-power model $140,831
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.46/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -1% vs national

Software Developer

$125,427
💡 Purchasing-power model $131,751
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $60.30/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -1% vs national

Construction Manager

$106,651
💡 Purchasing-power model $112,028
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $51.27/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -1% vs national

Project Manager

$99,821
💡 Purchasing-power model $104,854
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.99/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Grand Rapids

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (95.2/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $155,350
2 Pharmacist $134,071
3 Software Developer $125,427
4 Construction Manager $106,651
5 Project Manager $99,821
6 Physical Therapist $98,274
7 Financial Analyst $97,584
8 Web Developer $91,414
9 Dental Hygienist $86,269
10 Accountant $84,840
11 Registered Nurse $84,830
12 Data Analyst $82,159
13 Insurance Agent $78,788
14 Loan Officer $75,102
15 Police Officer $73,831
16 Human Resources Specialist $66,675
17 Elementary School Teacher $62,753
18 Plumber $62,437
19 Paralegal $61,846
20 Electrician $60,663
21 Real Estate Agent $60,594
22 Graphic Designer $60,456
23 Social Worker $59,983
24 Chef/Head Cook $59,480
25 Firefighter $56,297
26 Carpenter $56,100
27 HVAC Technician $54,868
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $53,833
29 Heavy Truck Driver $52,325
30 Welder $48,875
31 Auto Mechanic $47,624
32 Personal Trainer $46,007
33 Dental Assistant $44,174
34 Veterinary Technician $42,124
35 Pharmacy Technician $39,719
36 Cosmetologist $37,817
37 Medical Assistant $37,718
38 Security Guard $35,619
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,245
40 Nail Technician $32,869

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Grand Rapids salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are approximately 0.986×. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 95.2 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Grand Rapids

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,142/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,369/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$285,000
📉
Unemployment
4.0%
💳
Median Income
$70,258
🎓
College Educated
42%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
95
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Grand Rapids Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Grand Rapids Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Grand Rapids mean on this page?

▼
$68,762 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Grand Rapids workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Grand Rapids?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,730 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Grand Rapids?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Grand Rapids?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is approximately 0.986×; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Grand Rapids

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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🏙️ Grand Rapids City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage