SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 25-2021 · Michigan · Updated 2026

Elementary School Teacher Salary in Detroit, MI

Elementary School Teachers in Detroit, MI earn a median of $40,000/year, ranging from $30,800 (25th percentile) to $64,000 (90th percentile). After Michigan state taxes (4.25%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 89), this is equivalent to $44,944 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$40,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$30,800
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$51,200
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$64,000
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Detroit, MI

P25
P75
P25
$30,800
Median
$40,000
P75
$51,200
P90
$64,000

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$40,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$35,389
After 4.25% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$39,763
vs US average (COL index: 89)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Detroit, MI Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Detroit, MI (current)$40,00089$44,944
San Francisco, CA$65,000186$34,946
New York, NY$62,000187$33,155
Seattle, WA$63,000162$38,889
Boston, MA$57,000162$35,185
Austin, TX$52,000124$41,935

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Elementary School Teacher salary in Detroit, MI?

The median Elementary School Teacher salary in Detroit, MI is $40,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $30,800 and the 90th percentile is $64,000.

Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a Elementary School Teacher?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $40,000 Elementary School Teacher salary in Detroit, MI is equivalent to $44,944 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89, meaning it is 11% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Michigan is approximately 4.25%.

What is the Elementary School Teacher salary range in Detroit, MI?

In Detroit, MI, Elementary School Teachers earn between $30,800 (25th percentile) and $64,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $40,000 per year.

How many Elementary School Teacher jobs are there in Detroit, MI?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 37,500 Elementary School Teacher positions in the Detroit, MI metropolitan area.

What do Elementary School Teachers earn in Detroit, MI?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Elementary School Teachers in Detroit, MI earn a median annual wage of $40,000. The middle 50% earn between $30,800 and $51,200. The top 10% earn more than $64,000. There are approximately 37,500 Elementary School Teachers employed in the Detroit, MI metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 2.8%.

Is Detroit, MI a good place for a Elementary School Teacher?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100), making it 11% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Elementary School Teacher in Detroit, MI earning $40,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $44,944 relative to the US median. Michigan has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.25%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI's cost of living index is 89, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $40,000 in Detroit, MIhas the same purchasing power as $44,944 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare Detroit, MI with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.