Michigan teaching salaries are fairly standardized, with most teachers being paid according to a single minimum salary schedule. This ensures that those who meet teaching requirements in Michigan receive fair pay. These salary schedules are adjusted depending on specific teaching roles, such as special education, though within those roles the pay for a Michigan certified teacher remains standardized. As a result, those interested in becoming a teacher in Michigan can examine their financial situations fairly comprehensively before determining whether the profession is right for them. These salaries have been examined closely recently due to mounting economic pressure on those with teaching certification in Michigan.
Those interested in how Michigan teaching wages compare with those in the rest of the country should examine the following spreadsheet. This illustrates the similarities between average teaching wages nationwide and those earned by Michigan state certified educators.
| Occupation | Annual mean wage in Michigan | Annual mean wage in U.S. |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,730 | $86,620 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $85,600 | $86,730 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $73,060 | $74,890 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $67,670 | $65,050 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $70,030 | $68,760 |
| Preschool Teachers Except Special Education | $33,430 | $30,150 |
| Kindergarten Teachers Except Special Education | $51,550 | $52,350 |
| Elementary School Teachers Except Special Education | $57,410 | $55,270 |
| Middle School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $56,230 | $55,780 |
| Secondary School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $57,150 | $56,760 |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $54,830 | $56,460 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $58,770 | $58,420 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $58,610 | $59,080 |
Those who teach in different areas of Michigan tend to make similar amounts of money, though there is some geographic variance in average mean wage. The following chart shows discrepancies in teacher salary by region.
| City | Annual mean wage |
| Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI | $50,040 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $46,890 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $50,250 |
Helpful Resources
- State of Michigan – Michigan teacher salary schedule
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Education occupation statistics