City Town Info

Grand Rapids Employment

Employment and Industries in the Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Grand Rapids than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Grand Rapids.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Grand Rapids.
  • A list of any large public companies in Grand Rapids.

Most Popular Jobs in Grand Rapids, Michigan Metro Area (2006 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses6,86054,960$40,930 - 67,37024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products4,66059,090$32,580 - 96,8908%51%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education4,24048,450$30,410 - 72,31014%95%
4Teachers and instructors, all other3,36047,950$23,860 - 63,6109%54%
5Accountants and auditors2,88056,470$32,260 - 84,95018%79%
6Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education2,48052,190$33,250 - 72,6406%96%
7Chief executives1,640132,510$48,610 - 02%65%
8Industrial engineers1,32063,690$42,800 - 87,59020%74%
9Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education1,28052,600$29,960 - 75,79011%95%
10Mechanical engineers1,20066,250$44,160 - 94,4304%78%
11Managers, all other1,19078,310$42,640 - 120,5307%55%
12Sales managers1,19083,600$44,660 - 127,45010%69%
13Computer specialists, all other1,18060,930$26,280 - 94,42015%68%
14Lawyers1,160107,520$46,420 - 011%99%
15Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products1,13063,070$25,380 - 108,55012%51%
16Financial managers1,02082,510$50,980 - 118,67013%60%
17Child, family, and school social workers98054,220$29,170 - 99,96019%77%
18Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents97072,530$26,380 - 025%67%
19Computer programmers94055,740$34,190 - 80,8900%73%
20Social and human service assistants83028,580$17,890 - 45,07034%58%
21Engineers, all other82069,020$40,760 - 96,6306%82%
22Computer software engineers, applications81070,260$43,420 - 96,01045%85%
23Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other75050,780$31,330 - 72,43017%56%
24Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists74050,190$33,230 - 67,19018%56%
25Coaches and scouts72026,930$13,160 - 47,78015%60%
26Education administrators, elementary and secondary school70078,840$57,890 - 101,8508%78%
27Network and computer systems administrators67053,750$31,670 - 82,81027%50%
28Management analysts66073,660$41,130 - 119,96022%78%
29Graphic designers65045,760$29,250 - 70,01010%55%
30Mental health and substance abuse social workers61037,230$23,460 - 52,66030%77%
31Financial specialists, all other61051,500$29,580 - 82,99012%50%
32Sales and related workers, all other61039,150$15,320 - 70,77014%62%
33Public relations specialists60052,830$22,720 - 91,24018%81%
34Medical and health services managers59084,530$48,490 - 141,87016%57%
35Educational, vocational, and school counselors58049,930$20,300 - 76,53013%73%
36Market research analysts57065,460$31,110 - 108,92020%82%
37Pharmacists57090,260$55,680 - 116,65022%97%
38Computer software engineers, systems software54075,350$48,960 - 109,48028%85%
39Computer and information systems managers53086,720$48,100 - 129,47016%73%
40Engineering managers50082,400$56,020 - 112,3207%84%
41Medical and public health social workers49041,680$29,200 - 54,22024%77%
42Network systems and data communications analysts45096,270$41,620 - 053%57%
43Computer systems analysts44063,190$40,680 - 90,85029%68%
44Commercial and industrial designers43056,130$38,890 - 74,0607%55%
45Insurance underwriters41049,630$29,490 - 70,4206%53%
46Speech-language pathologists38077,990$42,240 - 115,03011%98%
47Sales engineers37071,580$43,870 - 99,9109%79%
48Education, training, and library workers, all other37038,240$27,250 - 56,41011%79%
49Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school37051,910$32,700 - 73,25020%87%
50Training and development specialists36048,220$29,710 - 71,40018%56%
51Civil engineers36064,650$46,030 - 84,33018%87%
52Dentists, general360174,120$109,490 - 09%100%
53Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists35071,370$39,190 - 109,22016%99%
54Physical therapists34062,870$43,310 - 97,17027%89%
55Instructional coordinators33063,520$27,920 - 119,14023%79%
56Marketing managers32078,100$40,780 - 121,44014%69%
57Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation32048,000$27,180 - 79,0305%58%
58Librarians31053,240$25,860 - 76,5304%85%
59Survey researchers31032,550$13,590 - 72,17016%82%
60Electrical engineers31058,410$40,350 - 80,4506%81%
61Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists27049,140$29,730 - 72,12018%56%
62Financial analysts27057,830$37,160 - 85,93034%87%
63Physician assistants27077,700$62,320 - 96,46027%67%
64Occupational therapists26062,950$38,880 - 105,91023%90%
65Health educators26055,320$30,940 - 80,49026%58%
66Purchasing managers26078,370$45,860 - 123,7803%57%
67Social and community service managers25056,480$33,020 - 87,29025%72%
68Editors25053,040$26,440 - 94,7802%81%
69Architects, except landscape and naval24076,040$47,930 - 106,82018%88%
70Advertising sales agents23061,690$25,580 - 125,79020%56%
71Special education teachers, secondary school22059,280$43,700 - 75,2209%87%
72Veterinarians22081,560$51,280 - 035%100%
73Human resources managers, all other22075,780$46,070 - 102,55011%58%
74Reporters and correspondents20059,250$24,520 - 117,2401%85%
75Medical and clinical laboratory technologists19048,380$37,710 - 62,14012%51%
76Writers and authors18041,480$24,670 - 67,34013%84%
77Floral designers16022,420$15,780 - 33,7900%55%
78Chemists16053,640$41,160 - 63,0909%93%
79Database administrators15061,810$34,890 - 90,68029%72%
80Education administrators, postsecondary14061,580$40,360 - 84,61014%78%
81Personal financial advisors14089,280$41,270 - 041%81%
82Environmental scientists and specialists, including health13050,190$33,240 - 65,82025%93%
83Legislators120 $0 - 01%65%
84Electronics engineers, except computer12080,560$32,680 - 04%81%
85Surveyors10051,720$34,800 - 73,04024%82%
86Detectives and criminal investigators10067,920$49,670 - 94,19017%54%
87Designers, all other10050,090$25,890 - 77,60012%55%
88Chiropractors9097,360$49,080 - 128,49014%98%
89Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers90105,800$72,250 - 142,91013%74%
90Compensation and benefits managers9073,110$32,890 - 116,89012%58%
91Occupational health and safety specialists9055,520$36,930 - 72,4408%72%
92Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other90101,730$43,140 - 012%94%
93Producers and directors9050,300$27,360 - 74,38011%75%
94Special education teachers, middle school8053,380$37,010 - 75,89016%87%
95Meeting and convention planners8037,520$20,880 - 54,82020%67%
96Optometrists8094,690$60,480 - 011%100%
97Rehabilitation counselors8051,090$30,230 - 71,45023%73%
98Budget analysts8055,220$24,070 - 87,9507%78%
99Advertising and promotions managers8063,320$32,380 - 106,9206%76%
100Public relations managers8076,530$37,040 - 130,64017%75%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons12,99024,340$13,550 - 41,37012%25%
2Office clerks, general9,03025,190$14,650 - 35,88013%19%
3Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand9,01027,300$17,400 - 42,1002%5%
4Customer service representatives7,82028,440$15,610 - 42,94025%22%
5Waiters and waitresses7,59015,150$11,620 - 21,83011%14%
6Cashiers7,02018,060$12,650 - 25,070-2%10%
7Team assemblers6,23027,700$19,330 - 36,4300%5%
8Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners6,05023,150$15,370 - 35,37015%4%
9Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food5,77015,950$11,830 - 22,28018%5%
10Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants5,02023,570$17,450 - 29,45018%7%
11Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer4,91037,080$26,900 - 49,25010%4%
12Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks4,69030,850$20,810 - 41,49013%16%
13Maintenance and repair workers, general4,54036,380$21,940 - 50,08010%6%
14Stock clerks and order fillers4,21024,090$15,150 - 35,350-7%8%
15Teacher assistants4,20025,630$18,470 - 34,14010%18%
16Packers and packagers, hand4,11018,760$12,840 - 25,550-11%3%
17Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive3,97030,240$21,030 - 39,7101%18%
18General and operations managers3,84086,660$41,550 - [?]2%48%
19Business operations specialists, all other3,68046,140$20,170 - 80,50021%49%
20Production workers, all other3,49027,860$17,090 - 41,3102%5%
21Truck drivers, light or delivery services3,48030,450$17,300 - 50,3708%4%
22Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers3,16028,880$16,570 - 46,100-6%14%
23Helpers--production workers3,11024,730$17,790 - 35,7000%4%
24Receptionists and information clerks3,11024,780$16,910 - 34,62017%13%
25Executive secretaries and administrative assistants2,99037,470$25,110 - 49,93015%18%
26First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers2,96051,920$32,310 - 75,040-4%15%
27First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers2,89040,510$22,570 - 62,3004%25%
28First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers2,86048,780$28,610 - 72,5606%29%
29Food preparation workers2,85018,880$13,090 - 24,86015%7%
30Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic2,83034,380$19,330 - 59,410-14%0%
31Industrial truck and tractor operators2,73032,400$22,000 - 53,190-1%2%
32Tool and die makers2,59052,440$34,650 - 75,390-9%5%
33Machinists2,48035,700$21,840 - 52,250-2%3%
34Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders2,46023,340$13,780 - 33,940-4%5%
35Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks2,45029,780$20,130 - 40,6604%6%
36Electricians2,38047,330$29,780 - 69,6807%7%
37Automotive service technicians and mechanics2,36039,320$21,640 - 57,02014%4%
38Landscaping and groundskeeping workers2,26022,750$15,350 - 31,74018%6%
39Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses2,24037,550$26,740 - 50,71014%7%
40Security guards2,22022,910$16,070 - 34,70017%13%
41Carpenters2,20036,710$24,520 - 49,44010%6%
42Sales representatives, services, all other2,19065,050$32,020 - 112,40028%48%
43Cooks, restaurant2,10019,920$13,210 - 26,71012%5%
44Construction laborers2,07028,590$18,600 - 39,34011%5%
45Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic2,04027,900$17,560 - 41,260-12%0%
46First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers2,03026,770$17,690 - 41,09011%14%
47Bus drivers, school1,90031,670$25,780 - 36,7309%4%
48Maids and housekeeping cleaners1,87018,500$13,980 - 23,96013%5%
49Assemblers and fabricators, all other1,87031,140$16,730 - 45,620-8%5%
50Bartenders1,72015,960$11,620 - 25,52011%17%
51Home health aides1,70021,710$16,910 - 27,91049%7%
52Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers1,69037,410$24,490 - 57,9705%2%
53Billing and posting clerks and machine operators1,61030,110$21,530 - 39,5904%15%
54Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists1,58020,360$11,950 - 30,76012%6%
55First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers1,48057,370$36,560 - 84,4607%13%
56Office and administrative support workers, all other1,42034,270$19,770 - 53,000-8%32%
57Medical assistants1,40026,520$19,190 - 34,91035%10%
58Loan officers1,32057,590$22,840 - 123,07012%49%
59Cooks, short order1,31017,870$12,950 - 24,2805%5%
60Dishwashers1,28015,420$11,880 - 19,33010%3%
61Computer support specialists1,19040,500$25,840 - 57,98013%43%
62First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers1,18056,900$36,240 - 86,5609%10%
63Cooks, fast food1,17016,590$12,140 - 21,9408%5%
64Tellers1,10020,250$16,230 - 25,06014%16%
65Industrial machinery mechanics1,10054,020$30,730 - 77,2509%5%
66Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop1,08015,530$11,920 - 19,58010%17%
67Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic1,06035,550$24,180 - 56,1100%3%
68Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters1,04046,960$30,190 - 63,29011%4%
69Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop1,04017,530$12,200 - 24,89010%8%
70Production, planning, and expediting clerks1,03042,200$28,000 - 58,7904%30%
71Insurance sales agents1,02066,630$31,250 - 125,17013%45%
72Police and sheriff's patrol officers1,01047,680$28,450 - 60,77011%33%
73Medical secretaries99027,690$20,960 - 35,36017%18%
74Parts salespersons97032,200$19,100 - 49,660-1%6%
75Child care workers95020,160$15,020 - 27,96018%15%
76Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic94034,650$20,740 - 49,660-2%6%
77Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products93047,640$30,910 - 71,4800%42%
78Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other92037,160$22,420 - 53,9808%9%
79Postal service mail carriers89043,200$33,550 - 51,8901%11%
80Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers89017,090$11,850 - 25,49012%6%
81First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers88069,680$33,380 - 109,3804%38%
82Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers87029,530$20,300 - 42,820-26%6%
83Cooks, institution and cafeteria87024,310$19,130 - 31,27011%5%
84Counter and rental clerks87026,560$14,730 - 43,21023%16%
85Food servers, nonrestaurant87019,870$13,370 - 26,87016%9%
86Dental assistants86033,140$25,750 - 43,26029%9%
87Preschool teachers, except special education86037,910$13,770 - 96,35026%43%
88Driver/sales workers84024,830$13,310 - 44,350-4%4%
89Bill and account collectors82032,080$23,590 - 42,77023%13%
90Recreation workers81024,420$16,680 - 36,99013%47%
91Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic80027,120$18,320 - 37,010-15%0%
92Sheet metal workers78047,570$29,680 - 71,8807%4%
93Loan interviewers and clerks77027,480$18,860 - 37,0300%24%
94Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists76038,630$14,700 - 56,06012%3%
95Automotive body and related repairers76044,770$25,490 - 62,64012%3%
96Mechanical drafters75049,720$34,730 - 65,1305%25%
97Industrial production managers75072,180$44,320 - 107,440-5%43%
98Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators74041,880$26,310 - 49,640-7%12%
99Cost estimators74052,190$36,720 - 75,40019%32%
100Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products73059,610$28,360 - 95,4900%36%
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Jobs More Common Near Grand Rapids Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Foundry mold and coremakers24,55022013.4
Tool and die makers52,4402,59011.3
Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic31,8004509.3
Survey researchers32,5503108
Construction and related workers, all other36,8006806.9
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic35,5501,0606.1
Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders34,2004306.1
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic27,9002,0406
Conveyor operators and tenders28,6504305.9
Production workers, all other27,8603,4905.4
Commercial and industrial designers56,1304305.4
Graders and sorters, agricultural products16,7903705.2
Designers, all other50,0901004.9
Cutters and trimmers, hand22,9202804.7
Grinding and polishing workers, hand28,3204304.5
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic34,3802,8304.1
Mechanical drafters49,7207504
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29,5502903.8
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators33,1701403.7
Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic28,4301703.6
Assemblers and fabricators, all other31,1401,8703.6
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic33,6302003.6
Numerical tool and process control programmers48,4101303.6
Metal workers and plastic workers, all other44,4402203.5
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic27,1208003.2
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic36,1404503.1
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics28,6101102.8
Cooks, short order17,8701,3102.8
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation31,1301102.8
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic34,6509402.7
Teachers and instructors, all other47,9503,3602.7
Media and communication workers, all other46,8201402.7
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other37,1609202.6
Education, training, and library workers, all other38,2403702.6
Personal care and service workers, all other22,7203302.5
Industrial engineers63,6901,3202.4
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders23,3402,4602.4
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders27,1105802.4
Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic23,7202202.4
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers28,8803,1602.4
Machinists35,7002,4802.4
Computer specialists, all other60,9301,1802.4
Food cooking machine operators and tenders32,1801702.3
Helpers--production workers24,7303,1102.3
Mental health and substance abuse social workers37,2306102.1
Engineers, all other69,0208202.1
Team assemblers27,7006,2302
Maintenance workers, machinery39,0103702
Industrial engineering technicians43,9903202
Mechanical engineers66,2501,2002

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Grand Rapids, Michigan Metro Area (2006 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Network systems and data communications analysts96,2701.6450
Preschool teachers, except special education37,9101.59860
Reporters and correspondents59,2501.53200
Child, family, and school social workers54,2201.41980
Food cooking machine operators and tenders32,1801.37170
Advertising sales agents61,6901.36230
Teachers and instructors, all other47,9501.333,360
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood33,0201.33130
Speech-language pathologists77,9901.33380
Metal workers and plastic workers, all other44,4401.32220
Paralegals and legal assistants53,4901.31460
Sales representatives, services, all other65,0501.312,190
Industrial machinery mechanics54,0201.291,100
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products59,6101.28730
Bus drivers, school31,6701.281,900
Health educators55,3201.27260
Assemblers and fabricators, all other31,1401.251,870
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment24,3001.25730
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic34,3801.242,830
Insurance sales agents66,6301.231,020
Service station attendants23,2901.23150
Teacher assistants25,6301.234,200
Tool and die makers52,4401.232,590
Special education teachers, secondary school59,2801.21220
Counter and rental clerks26,5601.21870
Graphic designers45,7601.21650
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand27,3001.219,010
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers21,6101.21130
Sheet metal workers47,5701.2780
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders36,0701.19210
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators33,1701.19140
Automotive body and related repairers44,7701.19760
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers38,3701.19290
Office and administrative support workers, all other34,2701.191,420
Dentists, general174,1201.18360
Nonfarm animal caretakers22,7501.17160
Plasterers and stucco masons45,5201.17120
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance38,5701.17410
Personal financial advisors89,2801.17140
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers27,6201.17320
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic35,5501.171,060
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators46,3001.16660
Construction and building inspectors53,6101.16260
Truck drivers, light or delivery services30,4501.153,480
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists50,1901.15740
Instructional coordinators63,5201.15330
Food batchmakers27,8601.15370
Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters31,5801.14120
Industrial truck and tractor operators32,4001.142,730
Highway maintenance workers37,6701.14320

Highest Paying Jobs in Grand Rapids, Michigan Metro Area (2006 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Obstetricians and gynecologists176,88090
Dentists, general174,120360
Surgeons173,31090
Physicians and surgeons, all other156,030890
Internists, general145,950190
Family and general practitioners142,080220
Pediatricians, general136,44040
Chief executives132,5101,640
Lawyers107,5201,160
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers105,80090
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other101,73090
Chiropractors97,36090
Network systems and data communications analysts96,270450
Tax preparers95,03070
Optometrists94,69080
Interior designers94,640 
Pharmacists90,260570
Personal financial advisors89,280140
Computer and information systems managers86,720530
General and operations managers86,6603,840
Construction managers85,400400
Environmental engineers85,340 
Medical and health services managers84,530590
Sales managers83,6001,190
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates83,22040
Financial managers82,5101,020
Engineering managers82,400500
Veterinarians81,560220
Electronics engineers, except computer80,560120
Chemical engineers79,690 
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school78,840700
Purchasing managers78,370260
Managers, all other78,3101,190
Marketing managers78,100320
Speech-language pathologists77,990380
Physician assistants77,700270
Public relations managers76,53080
Architects, except landscape and naval76,040240
Human resources managers, all other75,780220
Training and development managers75,72070
Computer software engineers, systems software75,350540
Management analysts73,660660
Compensation and benefits managers73,11090
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers73,050200
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents72,530970
Industrial production managers72,180750
Sales engineers71,580370
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists71,370350
Computer hardware engineers71,200 
Computer software engineers, applications70,260810

Large Companies Headquartered in Grand Rapids

CompanyRevenue 2005 (billions)
Universal Forest Prods.2.7
Steelcase2.6
Spartan Stores2

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