Teacher Salary

Detroit vs Holland: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Detroit, MI and Holland, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$65,849
$31.66/hr
Holland, MI
$61,816
$29.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIHolland, MI
Median Salary$65,849$61,816
Hourly Rate$31.66$29.72
Entry Level (P10)$49,228$48,785
25th Percentile$61,032$57,089
75th Percentile$83,591$77,679
Top Earner (P90)$100,435$95,815
Total Employed18,3905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($65,849) and Holland ($61,816) elementary school teacher salaries.DetroitHollandMedian Salary$65,849$61,816Entry Level (P10)$49,228$48,785Top Earner (P90)$100,435$95,815US Median $64,597

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Holland.

The salary gap between Detroit and Holland is $4,033 (6.52%). Detroit's median is +1.94% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $51,207,Holland spans $47,030. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$49,228
P25$61,032
Median$65,849
P75$83,591
P90 (Top)$100,435
Holland
P10 (Entry)$48,785
P25$57,089
Median$61,816
P75$77,679
P90 (Top)$95,815

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Holland ($66,326 effective) pays 1.02% more than Detroit ($65,653 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $65,849
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $65,653
Holland
Nominal: $61,816
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $66,326

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,849/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,435)
  • Larger job market (18,390 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Holland if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,326)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Detroit grew -14.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.1% growth in Holland over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+-14.5%

$76,240 (2019) → $65,210 (2025)

Holland, MI

+1.1%

$60,562 (2024) → $61,216 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Detroit or Holland?

Detroit has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $65,849/year, compared to Holland at $61,816/year — a difference of $4,033 (6.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Holland?

Detroit elementary school teachers earn $31.66/hr while Holland hygienists earn $29.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Holland as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Holland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $65,653, Holland = $66,326), job availability (18,390 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Detroit vs Holland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,228 in Detroit and $48,785 in Holland. The Detroit area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov