Average Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Commercial and Industrial Designers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI area earn an average annual salary of $78,470. This figure falls below the national average of $88,090, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially a different industry focus within the region influence compensation for this role. While the nominal salary is lower, the cost of living parity is a key factor to consider.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $78,470 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $117,200.
- Outlook: The Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI area supports a local workforce of 280 Commercial and Industrial Designers. With a jobs-per-1,000-workers ratio of 0.495, the presence of this specialized talent pool indicates a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for these professionals within the region's industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Salary Overview
The average Commercial and Industrial Designers in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI earns-10.9%below the national average.
$37.7
$1,509
$6,539
Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this localized role is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Commercial and Industrial Designers across the nation, including in Grand Rapids, have seen incremental growth over the past four years. This trend is typically driven by inflation, increasing demand for innovative product design, and the evolving skill sets required in the field.
Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary Distribution in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Salary progression for Commercial and Industrial Designers is strongly tied to experience. Entry-level positions typically command salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned professionals with a proven track record and advanced design skills can expect to earn significantly more, often reaching into the upper percentiles. The gap between entry-level and senior roles highlights substantial career growth opportunities.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $39,520 | $19 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $58,853 | $28.3 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $77,730 | $37.4 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $98,088 | $47.2 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $117,200 | $56.3 |
Detailed Commercial and Industrial Designers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$78,470
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$78,470
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $78,470 in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI, aligns precisely with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of the local salary is equivalent to the national average, offering a balanced financial landscape for designers considering a move to the area.
Job Market Context
280
Total Jobs
0.495
Per 1K Jobs
2.52
Location Quotient
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI has 2.5x the national concentration of Commercial and Industrial Designers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 2.52, Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI, demonstrates a significantly higher concentration of Commercial and Industrial Designers compared to the national average. This suggests a robust and specialized market for these professionals, indicating a strong presence of industries that rely heavily on design expertise.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Commercial and Industrial Designers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary | $82,990↑ 6% | 48 mi |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary | $87,440↑ 11% | 58 mi |
| Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary | $67,100↓ 14% | 62 mi |
Comparing salaries near Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Hiring Commercial and Industrial Designerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Commercial and Industrial Designers make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The median annual salary for a Commercial and Industrial Designers in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI is $78,470. This typically ranges from $39,520 for entry-level positions to $117,200 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI is 10.9% lower than the national median of $88,090.
Is Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI a lucrative place for Commercial and Industrial Designers?
No, but it offers balanced living.While the average salary of $78,470 is below the national average, the cost of living is also at the national average, making the purchasing power comparable.
Is Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI a good place to live for Commercial and Industrial Designers?
The Cost of Living Index in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
Some top paying nearby cities include Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ($82,990) and Lansing-East Lansing, MI.
How does the Grand Rapids salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for Commercial and Industrial Designers in Grand Rapids is $78,470, which is approximately $9,620 less than the national average of $88,090.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient in Grand Rapids?
A Location Quotient of 2.52 indicates that Commercial and Industrial Designers are more than twice as concentrated in Grand Rapids compared to the national average, suggesting a strong local industry demand.
Does the cost of living affect the perceived value of the salary?
No, the cost of living in Grand Rapids is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the $78,470 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary.
How many Commercial and Industrial Designers work in the Grand Rapids area?
There are approximately 280 Commercial and Industrial Designers employed within the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 280 employees in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI area with a job density of 0.495 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Commercial and Industrial Designers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI