Grand Rapids Employment

Employment and Industries in the Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

Grand Rapids' manufacturing sector has experienced a significant decline, however manufacturing still significantly contributes to the economy, especially the office furniture industry. Some of the notable office furniture manufactures in the region are Steelcase, Haworth, American Seating, Knoll and Herman Miller. Several companies also manufacture residential furniture. Jobs are also provided by businesses in industries such as industrial machinery, plastics, chemicals, automotive parts, food processing, graphic arts and printing.

The "Medical Mile" includes numerous health science related businesses and numerous jobs. In addition, Grand Rapids is also known as a Christian publishing center and is home to Baker Books, Zonervan, Eerdmans Publishing and Kregel Publications. Also, the tourism industry is becoming more important to the city due to the region becoming increasingly popular as a vacation and convention destination. The region is also known for its fruit production.

The significant job providers in the Grand Rapids region are:

Spectrum Health - Hospital and medical care
Meijer Inc - Groceries and general merchandise
Walmart - Retail
Spartan Stores Inc - Groceries
Steelcase Inc - Furniture, modular space systems
Johnson Controls
Herman Miller
Alticore
Farmers Insurance Group - Insurance
Axious Incorporated - Human resource and employment services
Grand Rapids Public Schools - Education
St Mary's Health Care - Hospital and medical care
City of Grand Rapids - Government
Roskam Baking Co - Commercial bakery, manufactures cereals; provides packaging and labeling services
Kent County - Government
Lacks Enterprises, Inc - Manufacturer of automotive, telecommunications and consumer electronics
U.S. Postal Service - Government
Calvin College - Education
Gordon Food Service Inc - Food services wholesaler
GE Aviation Systems LLC - Military and commercial avionics systems
Michigan Medical PC - Multi-specialty physician group
Consumers Energy - Public utility
Sara Lee Corporation - Baked goods
Forest Hills Public Schools - Education
Knoll Inc - Wood and metal office systems
United Parcel Service - Parcel delivery
Dematic Corp - Material handling systems, management information and control systems
Avionics Systems
Kellogg Co - Cookies and crackers

The significant nonagricultural employment segments are shown below:

Manufacturing
Trade, transportation and utilities
Professional and business services
Educational and health services
Government
Leisure and hospitality
Finance

Notable data about Grand Rapids, Michigan: The estimated median household income in Grand Rapids in 2007 was $38,000. Approximately 24% of the adult residents have achieved a bachelor's degree or higher. The cost of living index in the city in 2008 was 81.3. The nation's average is 100.

Grand Rapids' businesses have opportunities to team up with useful organizations such as:

The Grand Rapids Business Journal includes information regarding the local economy and the business community.

Most Popular Jobs in Grand Rapids, Michigan Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

Rank	Title	Local Jobs	Local Mean Salary	Typical Local Salary	National Growth % 2006-2016	National % With College Degree
1	Registered nurses	7,380	58,850	$41,370 - 76,900	24%	56%
2	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	6,650	66,700	$29,200 - 120,030	8%	51%
3	Teachers and instructors, all other	4,180	43,820	$18,970 - 66,960	9%	54%
4	Accountants and auditors	3,380	64,310	$37,640 - 98,540	18%	79%
5	Elementary school teachers, except special education	3,270	52,420	$32,430 - 78,200	14%	95%
6	Mechanical engineers	1,750	63,940	$43,400 - 91,320	4%	78%
7	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	1,650	50,640	$32,420 - 75,650	6%	96%
8	Industrial engineers	1,510	68,140	$45,290 - 94,590	20%	74%
9	Chief executives	1,310	158,190	$65,760 -	2%	65%
10	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	1,150	54,820	$31,800 - 80,150	11%	95%
11	Financial managers	1,120	96,250	$52,770 - 149,900	13%	60%
12	Managers, all other	1,040	96,310	$53,590 - 159,000	7%	55%
13	Lawyers	1,010	104,680	$46,000 -	11%	99%
14	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	1,010	70,460	$37,350 - 113,270	12%	51%
15	Child, family, and school social workers	1,000	44,810	$27,990 - 64,620	19%	77%
16	Computer specialists, all other	990	49,070	$24,920 - 82,940	15%	68%
17	Sales managers	980	104,350	$53,110 -	10%	69%
18	Coaches and scouts	950	32,260	$15,470 - 63,170	15%	60%
19	Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other	930	44,060	$15,370 - 76,130	17%	56%
20	Computer programmers	930	57,940	$36,070 - 81,860	0%	73%
21	Computer and information systems managers	860	85,460	$50,600 - 126,170	16%	73%
22	Sales and related workers, all other	860	32,370	$15,420 - 51,920	14%	62%
23	Network and computer systems administrators	770	59,220	$37,330 - 82,690	27%	50%
24	Management analysts	760	74,280	$42,240 - 115,760	22%	78%
25	Pharmacists	740	100,460	$83,620 - 128,420	22%	97%
26	Medical and health services managers	710	84,390	$53,210 - 130,170	16%	57%
27	Computer systems analysts	700	65,130	$43,270 - 91,650	29%	68%
28	Engineering managers	670	89,940	$67,020 - 121,940	7%	84%
29	Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	660	84,260	$24,100 -	25%	67%
30	Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists	660	51,070	$28,920 - 67,710	18%	56%
31	Graphic designers	650	38,320	$26,290 - 56,090	10%	55%
32	Financial specialists, all other	640	50,130	$31,350 - 74,110	12%	50%
33	Engineers, all other	610	60,580	$34,900 - 96,090	6%	82%
34	Social and human service assistants	550	35,940	$20,590 - 51,400	34%	58%
35	Marketing managers	530	96,170	$51,270 - 149,330	14%	69%
36	Market research analysts	500	63,970	$34,780 - 106,720	20%	82%
37	Commercial and industrial designers	490	63,720	$41,890 - 95,260	7%	55%
38	Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school	490	58,000	$38,960 - 77,060	20%	87%
39	Training and development specialists	480	47,830	$28,620 - 70,220	18%	56%
40	Public relations specialists	480	56,880	$29,790 - 105,340	18%	81%
41	Physical therapists	460	70,920	$54,860 - 96,150	27%	89%
42	Computer software engineers, applications	460	68,340	$45,570 - 94,160	45%	85%
43	Civil engineers	450	70,070	$48,090 - 99,290	18%	87%
44	Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists	450	60,280	$35,550 - 93,900	16%	99%
45	Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	440	85,490	$63,100 - 111,160	8%	78%
46	Educational, vocational, and school counselors	440	51,330	$19,690 - 80,310	13%	73%
47	Network systems and data communications analysts	430	86,740	$46,460 -	53%	57%
48	Special education teachers, secondary school	430	54,940	$34,560 - 80,660	9%	87%
49	Education, training, and library workers, all other	430	35,180	$16,920 - 57,280	11%	79%
50	Sales engineers	410	69,190	$48,900 - 96,820	9%	79%
51	Occupational therapists	380	61,630	$42,400 - 86,850	23%	90%
52	Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation	370	48,500	$32,180 - 74,580	5%	58%
53	Mental health and substance abuse social workers	350		$ -	30%	77%
54	Community and social service specialists, all other	340	35,270	$22,490 - 51,450	25%	58%
55	Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	340	30,990	$23,780 - 39,610	15%	51%
56	Editors	310	42,680	$23,540 - 75,440	2%	81%
57	Speech-language pathologists	300	72,950	$47,330 - 109,670	11%	98%
58	Medical and public health social workers	300	48,390	$31,600 - 63,320	24%	77%
59	Social and community service managers	290	72,090	$35,800 - 109,980	25%	72%
60	Financial analysts	290	64,620	$43,810 - 87,500	34%	87%
61	Health educators	280	64,030	$34,170 - 88,700	26%	58%
62	Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists	280	54,380	$35,260 - 77,030	18%	56%
63	Medical and clinical laboratory technologists	280	53,620	$40,170 - 65,540	12%	51%
64	Purchasing managers	280	88,760	$46,680 - 131,490	3%	57%
65	Physician assistants	280	79,730	$59,230 - 104,580	27%	67%
66	Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors	250	36,990	$17,190 - 53,940	34%	73%
67	Insurance underwriters	240	58,650	$36,160 - 92,420	6%	53%
68	Librarians	240	53,270	$32,490 - 75,190	4%	85%
69	Instructional coordinators	240	61,670	$29,630 - 101,660	23%	79%
70	Advertising sales agents	240		$ -	20%	56%
71	Mental health counselors	230	44,520	$32,690 - 60,540	30%	73%
72	Electrical engineers	230	72,970	$49,920 - 101,050	6%	81%
73	Computer software engineers, systems software	230	79,210	$56,740 - 105,590	28%	85%
74	Human resources managers, all other	220	79,860	$40,210 - 115,540	11%	58%
75	Dentists, general	220	156,880	$39,110 -	9%	100%
76	Special education teachers, middle school	210	52,490	$34,550 - 78,570	16%	87%
77	Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists	210	57,680	$45,240 - 68,240	11%	58%
78	Architects, except landscape and naval	200	81,870	$53,160 - 112,820	18%	88%
79	Vocational education teachers, secondary school	200	54,530	$35,230 - 77,350	0%	96%
80	Chemists	200	54,490	$30,980 - 85,410	9%	93%
81	Personal financial advisors	200	70,800	$32,110 -	41%	81%
82	Education administrators, postsecondary	200	74,770	$39,670 - 123,830	14%	78%
83	Veterinarians	190	81,850	$37,700 - 130,760	35%	100%
84	Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other	190	42,770	$22,450 - 69,340	15%	72%
85	Database administrators	150	64,820	$38,220 - 98,410	29%	72%
86	Self-enrichment education teachers	140	34,190	$22,040 - 48,710	23%	54%
87	Merchandise displayers and window trimmers	140	43,560	$22,330 - 65,200	11%	55%
88	Clergy	130	37,350	$22,420 - 53,560	19%	75%
89	Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other	130	57,210	$41,480 - 84,280	12%	94%
90	Floral designers	130	26,110	$17,750 - 37,960	0%	55%
91	Reporters and correspondents	130	56,780	$24,640 - 122,790	1%	85%
92	Writers and authors	120	46,830	$26,380 - 76,310	13%	84%
93	Legislators	120		$ -	1%	65%
94	Credit analysts	120	47,560	$34,270 - 65,330	2%	60%
95	Directors, religious activities and education	120	44,910	$19,910 - 77,110	20%	64%
96	Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	110	84,600	$48,530 - 137,360	25%	93%
97	Occupational health and safety specialists	100	66,740	$45,650 - 96,150	8%	72%
98	Recreational therapists	100	39,490	$26,560 - 57,680	4%	77%
99	Social workers, all other	100	47,010	$17,020 - 91,760	18%	77%
100	Detectives and criminal investigators	100	72,930	$48,730 - 97,860	17%	54%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

Rank	Title	Local Jobs	Local Mean Salary	Typical Local Salary	National Growth % 2006-2016	National % With College Degree
1	Retail salespersons	12,330	25,330	$15,510 - 41,060	12%	25%
2	Office clerks, general	9,100	29,840	$18,230 - 42,800	13%	19%
3	Team assemblers	8,510	29,890	$18,910 - 39,660	0%	5%
4	Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	8,240	27,190	$17,280 - 41,330	2%	5%
5	Waiters and waitresses	8,220	17,790	$15,230 - 24,150	11%	14%
6	Customer service representatives	8,160	31,690	$16,920 - 48,920	25%	22%
7	Cashiers	8,110	19,210	$15,250 - 25,370	-2%	10%
8	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	5,660	26,310	$16,740 - 39,800	15%	4%
9	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	5,310	25,540	$19,040 - 32,590	18%	7%
10	Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive	4,930	30,670	$21,050 - 42,520	1%	18%
11	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	4,690	18,900	$15,450 - 24,790	18%	5%
12	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	4,690	39,990	$24,610 - 62,290	10%	4%
13	Stock clerks and order fillers	4,670	24,570	$15,900 - 37,160	-7%	8%
14	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks	4,640	33,510	$22,720 - 45,730	13%	16%
15	Truck drivers, light or delivery services	3,950	30,960	$17,390 - 53,770	8%	4%
16	Maintenance and repair workers, general	3,950	37,490	$22,150 - 52,600	10%	6%
17	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	3,890	30,740	$17,440 - 51,310	-6%	14%
18	Helpers--production workers	3,770	23,650	$17,010 - 32,390	0%	4%
19	General and operations managers	3,680	93,130	$46,470 - 156,450	2%	48%
20	Teacher assistants	3,220	23,820	$15,660 - 32,330	10%	18%
21	Food preparation workers	3,140	19,760	$15,600 - 26,470	15%	7%
22	Business operations specialists, all other	3,110	61,990	$26,710 - 102,770	21%	49%
23	First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers	3,050	52,600	$32,930 - 79,170	-4%	15%
24	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers	2,990	40,880	$22,280 - 60,670	4%	25%
25	Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	2,900	37,430	$21,730 - 62,370	-14%	0%
26	Receptionists and information clerks	2,890	25,980	$17,790 - 35,490	17%	13%
27	Cooks, restaurant	2,870	20,870	$16,230 - 26,240	12%	5%
28	Packers and packagers, hand	2,810	21,130	$15,500 - 32,280	-11%	3%
29	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	2,790	49,820	$28,970 - 77,650	6%	29%
30	Industrial truck and tractor operators	2,780	35,330	$22,640 - 50,980	-1%	2%
31	Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	2,740	31,820	$21,020 - 43,900	4%	6%
32	Executive secretaries and administrative assistants	2,560	41,400	$26,710 - 56,210	15%	18%
33	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	2,500	44,310	$26,880 - 63,660	14%	4%
34	Home health aides	2,340	21,650	$16,670 - 29,880	49%	7%
35	Production workers, all other	2,340	30,840	$18,090 - 44,100	2%	5%
36	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	2,300	37,130	$27,950 - 48,630	14%	7%
37	Tool and die makers	2,180	54,580	$35,490 - 80,160	-9%	5%
38	Electricians	2,050	49,210	$29,110 - 77,530	7%	7%
39	Industrial machinery mechanics	1,950	44,580	$28,170 - 71,820	9%	5%
40	Assemblers and fabricators, all other	1,930	28,860	$16,820 - 41,860	-8%	5%
41	Carpenters	1,830	39,870	$27,660 - 53,330	10%	6%
42	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers	1,830	29,120	$17,500 - 44,660	11%	14%
43	Bus drivers, school	1,790	32,820	$22,790 - 40,470	9%	4%
44	Machinists	1,790	35,360	$21,930 - 50,720	-2%	3%
45	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	1,780	22,940	$16,210 - 33,480	18%	6%
46	Construction laborers	1,680	29,430	$19,000 - 42,270	11%	5%
47	Postsecondary teachers, all other	1,670			0%	0%
48	Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	1,610	32,040	$22,920 - 42,640	4%	15%
49	Bartenders	1,600	18,400	$15,370 - 26,680	11%	17%
50	Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	1,530	27,660	$19,730 - 38,810	-6%	0%
51	Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	1,500	29,160	$21,060 - 38,820	-12%	0%
52	Security guards	1,460	22,390	$16,820 - 30,730	17%	13%
53	Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	1,430	21,990	$15,540 - 34,680	-4%	5%
54	Tellers	1,380	21,650	$17,120 - 27,360	14%	16%
55	Recreation workers	1,310	25,860	$15,800 - 42,230	13%	47%
56	Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic	1,290	35,740	$21,820 - 51,980	-2%	6%
57	Production, planning, and expediting clerks	1,260	45,710	$27,400 - 68,510	4%	30%
58	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	1,260	55,880	$35,930 - 78,930	7%	13%
59	Computer support specialists	1,220	42,940	$24,580 - 63,550	13%	43%
60	Insurance sales agents	1,220	58,350	$23,100 - 119,620	13%	45%
61	Medical assistants	1,200	28,040	$21,390 - 37,300	35%	10%
62	Counter and rental clerks	1,190	22,770	$15,260 - 32,700	23%	16%
63	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists	1,190	22,440	$15,590 - 34,680	12%	6%
64	Physicians and surgeons, all other	1,180	174,400	$48,750 -	0%	0%
65	Personal and home care aides	1,120	20,350	$15,520 - 26,570	51%	10%
66	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	1,100	50,050	$28,570 - 71,060	11%	4%
67	Cooks, institution and cafeteria	1,080	27,260	$19,870 - 34,180	11%	5%
68	Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop	1,050	18,440	$15,370 - 25,350	10%	8%
69	Cooks, fast food	1,000	18,720	$15,660 - 23,900	8%	5%
70	Dishwashers	990	17,220	$15,230 - 20,890	10%	3%
71	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	990	58,940	$36,580 - 94,190	9%	10%
72	Dental assistants	980	36,000	$28,080 - 46,170	29%	9%
73	Demonstrators and product promoters	980	23,220	$16,060 - 29,350	18%	26%
74	Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	950	22,350	$15,780 - 30,400	14%	3%
75	Child care workers	950	22,630	$15,660 - 30,840	18%	15%
76	Healthcare support workers, all other	940	30,490	$19,830 - 42,360	16%	10%
77	Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products	940	53,590	$34,220 - 79,480	0%	42%
78	Office and administrative support workers, all other	930	35,570	$22,020 - 52,170	-8%	32%
79	Police and sheriff's patrol officers	930	55,360	$43,350 - 65,920	11%	33%
80	Bill and account collectors	910	35,730	$24,430 - 52,550	23%	13%
81	Postal service mail carriers	890			1%	11%
82	Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators	870	49,790	$31,690 - 76,110	9%	47%
83	Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other	870	38,130	$20,360 - 59,030	8%	9%
84	Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop	870	17,740	$15,400 - 21,890	10%	17%
85	Industrial production managers	860	88,380	$49,380 - 139,240	-5%	43%
86	Loan officers	860	59,500	$29,850 - 106,450	12%	49%
87	Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors	850	27,260	$15,660 - 55,350	27%	47%
88	Interviewers, except eligibility and loan	840	25,940	$16,930 - 37,280	10%	24%
89	Medical secretaries	830	31,670	$23,420 - 42,560	17%	18%
90	Food batchmakers	820	31,990	$16,750 - 61,920	11%	5%
91	Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists	810	37,160	$15,900 - 55,420	12%	3%
92	Cost estimators	800	55,260	$30,820 - 79,610	19%	32%
93	Dental hygienists	800	56,650	$43,400 - 66,240	30%	33%
94	First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	800	75,740	$42,430 - 128,010	4%	38%
95	Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers	790	19,980	$15,500 - 28,470	12%	6%
96	Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators	760			-7%	12%
97	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	760	35,560	$25,060 - 49,020	5%	2%
98	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers	750	40,680	$22,400 - 66,500	9%	3%
99	Administrative services managers	750	66,410	$35,640 - 103,350	12%	40%
100	Pharmacy technicians	750	28,580	$21,010 - 37,600	32%	16%

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Career Schools in Grand Rapids

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Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Programs: Business And Management, Education And Teaching, Liberal Arts
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Master
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Empire Beauty Schools
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Programs: Beauty And Cosmetology
Degrees/Course Work: Diploma
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Everest Institute
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Programs: Basic Skills, Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Construction Trades, Engineering Technician, Law, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Office And Administration, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Certificate, Diploma, Non-Degree
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University of Phoenix
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Education And Teaching, Family And Social Work, Hospitality, Medical Administration, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Bachelor, Master
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Jobs More Common Near Grand Rapids Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs	Pop. vs. Avg.*
Grounds maintenance workers, all other	29,060	410	29.8
Tool and die makers	54,580	2,180	10.4
Numerical tool and process control programmers	44,770	290	8.6
Furniture finishers	31,180	310	7.8
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	27,660	1,530	7.8
Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders	37,620	720	7.4
Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other	20,160	100	6.6
Foundry mold and coremakers	38,070	110	6.3
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders	28,940	440	6
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic	32,540	450	5.9
Commercial and industrial designers	63,720	490	5.8
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers	39,310	210	5.6
Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	32,730	250	5.4
Millwrights	72,100	440	5.2
Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders	23,230	130	5.1
Engine and other machine assemblers	29,530	220	5
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing	30,790	740	4.9
Demonstrators and product promoters	23,220	980	4.9
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	37,430	2,900	4.8
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	29,160	1,500	4.6
Telephone operators	38,570	100	4.1
Industrial engineering technicians	55,600	700	4
Carpet installers	39,290	270	3.9
Construction and related workers, all other	46,160	410	3.8
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic	35,740	1,290	3.8
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	38,100	190	3.8
Production workers, all other	30,840	2,340	3.8
Food batchmakers	31,990	820	3.7
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	35,580	720	3.7
Metal workers and plastic workers, all other	38,220	270	3.7
Directors, religious activities and education	44,910	120	3.6
Proofreaders and copy markers	31,730	130	3.6
Postsecondary teachers, all other		1,670	3.5
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	30,740	3,890	3.1
Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	30,470	290	3.1
Helpers--production workers	23,650	3,770	3.1
Teachers and instructors, all other	43,820	4,180	3.1
Team assemblers	29,890	8,510	3
Assemblers and fabricators, all other	28,860	1,930	2.7
Industrial machinery mechanics	44,580	1,950	2.7
Mechanical engineers	63,940	1,750	2.7
Grinding and polishing workers, hand	30,790	220	2.7
Material moving workers, all other	32,850	230	2.7
Funeral attendants	25,100	160	2.6
Industrial engineers	68,140	1,510	2.6
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders	31,450	590	2.5
Mechanical drafters	52,420	490	2.5
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	36,250	150	2.4
Occupational therapist assistants	41,230	140	2.4
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other	38,130	870	2.3

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Grand Rapids, Michigan Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

Title	Mean Local Salary	Salary Index *	Local Jobs
Construction managers	132,610	1.57	510
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers	43,560	1.53	140
Millwrights	72,100	1.44	440
Health educators	64,030	1.4	280
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	84,600	1.39	110
Reporters and correspondents	56,780	1.39	130
Network systems and data communications analysts	86,740	1.34	430
Real estate brokers	95,120	1.34	120
Bus drivers, transit and intercity	40,630	1.34	300
Preschool teachers, except special education	33,920	1.33	620
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists	57,680	1.33	210
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	40,320	1.33	320
Order clerks	37,090	1.32	500
Paralegals and legal assistants	56,240	1.31	470
Foundry mold and coremakers	38,070	1.29	110
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	37,430	1.29	2,900
Social and human service assistants	35,940	1.27	550
Social and community service managers	72,090	1.26	290
Construction and related workers, all other	46,160	1.26	410
Bus drivers, school	32,820	1.26	1,790
Painters, construction and maintenance	42,760	1.25	620
Food batchmakers	31,990	1.25	820
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance	42,630	1.23	370
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand	52,750	1.23	590
Automotive service technicians and mechanics	44,310	1.22	2,500
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders	38,860	1.22	290
Court, municipal, and license clerks	40,160	1.21	470
Tool and die makers	54,580	1.2	2,180
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping	41,740	1.2	410
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters	36,660	1.2	280
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products	60,310	1.19	520
First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers	50,050	1.19	200
Printing machine operators	38,770	1.18	650
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	66,700	1.18	6,650
Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers	40,810	1.18	170
Industrial truck and tractor operators	35,330	1.18	2,780
Child care workers	22,630	1.17	950
Office clerks, general	29,840	1.17	9,100
Personal care and service workers, all other	26,770	1.17	330
Legal secretaries	41,960	1.17	670
Managers, all other	96,310	1.16	1,040
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing	30,790	1.16	740
Bill and account collectors	35,730	1.16	910
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school	58,000	1.16	490
Property, real estate, and community association managers	61,960	1.16	270
Refuse and recyclable material collectors	34,960	1.16	190
Sheet metal workers	48,150	1.15	600
Cooks, institution and cafeteria	27,260	1.15	1,080
Teachers and instructors, all other	43,820	1.15	4,180
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers	41,070	1.15	290

Highest Paying Jobs in Grand Rapids, Michigan Metro Area (2008 data)

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs
Surgeons	218,820	50
Obstetricians and gynecologists	190,260	50
Physicians and surgeons, all other	174,400	1,180
Chief executives	158,190	1,310
Dentists, general	156,880	220
Family and general practitioners	147,020	220
Internists, general	140,960	110
Construction managers	132,610	510
Pediatricians, general	120,120	50
Interior designers	104,760
Lawyers	104,680	1,010
Sales managers	104,350	980
Chiropractors	103,610
Pharmacists	100,460	740
Chemical engineers	97,440
Managers, all other	96,310	1,040
Financial managers	96,250	1,120
Marketing managers	96,170	530
Real estate brokers	95,120	120
General and operations managers	93,130	3,680
Public relations managers	91,240	70
Engineering managers	89,940	670
Purchasing managers	88,760	280
Industrial production managers	88,380	860
Network systems and data communications analysts	86,740	430
Compensation and benefits managers	85,650	80
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	85,490	440
Computer and information systems managers	85,460	860
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates	85,310	50
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	84,600	110
Medical and health services managers	84,390	710
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	84,260	660
Architects, except landscape and naval	81,870	200
Veterinarians	81,850	190
Computer hardware engineers	80,870	60
Human resources managers, all other	79,860	220
Physician assistants	79,730	280
Computer software engineers, systems software	79,210	230
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers	78,150	230
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives	77,130	160
Training and development managers	76,920	80
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	75,740	800
Financial examiners	74,810
Education administrators, postsecondary	74,770	200
Electronics engineers, except computer	74,480
Management analysts	74,280	760
Environmental engineers	72,990	50
Electrical engineers	72,970	230
Speech-language pathologists	72,950	300
Detectives and criminal investigators	72,930	100

Large Companies Headquartered in Grand Rapids

Company	Revenue 2005 (billions)
Universal Forest Prods.	2.7
Steelcase	2.6
Spartan Stores	2

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