ocity
💰 COL Index: 98 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Sterling Heights, MI

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

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 39 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$53,249
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$54,336
model average ÷ 98.0 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Software Developer
$126,496
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,029
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Sterling Heights?

$53,249 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$53,249/year
Gross monthly equivalent$4,437/month
Household income context$73,702

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 39-Role Set

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

🥇 -1% vs national

Software Developer

$126,496
💡 Purchasing-power model $129,078
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $60.82/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -1% vs national

Accountant

$85,563
💡 Purchasing-power model $87,309
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $41.14/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$63,287
💡 Purchasing-power model $64,579
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $30.43/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -1% vs national

Electrician

$61,180
💡 Purchasing-power model $62,429
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $29.41/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -1% vs national

Real Estate Agent

$61,111
💡 Purchasing-power model $62,358
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $29.38/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 39 Occupations in Sterling Heights

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (98.0/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 39 occupations.

#
1 Software Developer $126,496
2 Accountant $85,563
3 Elementary School Teacher $63,287
4 Electrician $61,180
5 Real Estate Agent $61,111
6 Heavy Truck Driver $52,771
7 Data Analyst $49,700
8 Plumber $49,700
9 Paralegal $49,700
10 Human Resources Specialist $49,700
11 Carpenter $49,700
12 Physical Therapist $49,700
13 Financial Analyst $49,700
14 Pharmacist $49,700
15 HVAC Technician $49,700
16 Welder $49,700
17 Nail Technician $49,700
18 Cosmetologist $49,700
19 Personal Trainer $49,700
20 Chef/Head Cook $49,700
21 Auto Mechanic $49,700
22 Social Worker $49,700
23 Veterinary Technician $49,700
24 Pharmacy Technician $49,700
25 Dental Assistant $49,700
26 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,700
27 Firefighter $49,700
28 Construction Manager $49,700
29 Dental Hygienist $49,700
30 Web Developer $49,700
31 Marketing Manager $49,700
32 Medical Assistant $49,700
33 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,700
34 Police Officer $49,700
35 Project Manager $49,700
36 Graphic Designer $49,700
37 Insurance Agent $49,700
38 Loan Officer $49,700
39 Security Guard $35,923

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

Sterling Heights 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 0.315×–1.490× across occupations. 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 ÷ 98.0 × 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 Sterling Heights

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,029/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,286/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$300,000
📉
Unemployment
4.0%
💳
Median Income
$73,702
🎓
College Educated
30%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
98
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Sterling Heights 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

❓ Sterling Heights Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Sterling Heights mean on this page?

▼
$53,249 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Sterling Heights workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Sterling Heights?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $4,437 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Sterling Heights?

▼
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 Sterling Heights?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.315×–1.490× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Sterling Heights

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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Explore Sterling Heights Further

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