Tire Builders Salary in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
In Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI, tire builders earn $38,190 at the median — $18.36 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $42K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.55), that's roughly $39,969 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,519/month — about 58.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $38K get you in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood?
About tire builders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Entry-level tire builders (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K.Top earners bring in $42K or more - a $4K spread from bottom to top.
Tire Builders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $67K | +20% | 1,870 |
| Virginia | $67K | +20% | 590 |
| North Carolina | $62K | +12% | 3,490 |
| Arizona | $57K | +3% | N/A |
| Iowa | $55K | -1% | 770 |
| Ohio | $55K | -2% | 790 |
| Mississippi | $51K | -8% | 810 |
| Indiana | $49K | -12% | 940 |
| Oregon | $47K | -15% | 90 |
| Connecticut | $46K | -17% | 130 |
| Georgia | $45K | -18% | 1,040 |
| Kentucky | $45K | -19% | 320 |
| Florida | $44K | -21% | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $44K | -21% | 330 |
| Tennessee | $43K | -22% | 250 |
Track tire builders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tire builders make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The median is $38,190 a year - that works out to about $18.36 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,870, and experienced tire builders can clear $42,160. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,592/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,519/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 58.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a tire builders salary go in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood?
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood has a Regional Price Parity of 95.55 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tire builders salary is worth about $39,969 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tire builders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.