Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Sterling Heights, MI: $31.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Sterling Heights, MI runs $31.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,043 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Sterling Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,622 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sterling Heights, Michigan, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to reach $31.75 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $31.06. This competitive rate opens opportunities for both part-time and per-diem educators working in various settings, including K-12 classrooms and specialized programs. With hourly wages ranging from $22.75 at the entry-level to $49.22 for top earners, teachers in this area can find flexible arrangements that accommodate teaching three days a week or set schedules through after-school tutoring programs. These hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, providing a clear picture of earning potential across different environments.
About the Sterling Heights Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.75 | $182.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.68 | $221.43 |
| Median (P50) | $31.75 | $253.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.98 | $319.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.22 | $393.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sterling Heights
Based on $31.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.75/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sterling Heights, MI can expect to earn approximately $66,036 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,098. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sterling Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sterling Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.92 | $5,503 | $66,036 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.95 | $3,302 | $39,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.97 | $2,201 | $26,414 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Sterling Heights) | $31.75 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Sterling Heights, MI earn a median of $66,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.24% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.10% above the Michigan state average of $64,685.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.75/hr = $39,622/year (purchasing power: $42,512).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,036/year (purchasing power: $70,854).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Sterling Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Sterling Heights grew 7.2% from $29.33/hr (2019) to $31.44/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.06/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sterling Heights metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Sterling Heights
For those considering part-time positions, a teacher working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, might expect to earn around $39,024 annually, significantly less than a full-time equivalent while maintaining a flexible lifestyle. The per-diem teaching scenario offers varied daily rates; substitute teachers in Sterling Heights typically earn between $100-$200 per day, while long-term substitutes can make $140-$250 daily. For private tutoring, educators can capitalize on platforms like Varsity Tutors, earning $30-$80 per hour depending on their expertise. It's also essential to understand how hourly rates differ across employer types; public districts, charter schools, and private institutions might offer distinct advantages, including benefits like health insurance, which some educators may weigh against potentially higher hourly pay in positions without these perks. Negotiating for competitive rates in this job market is crucial, and highlighting relevant teaching experience or specialized skills can help secure better compensation.
More salary data for Sterling Heights, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Sterling Heights. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sterling Heights is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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