Model Makers, Metal and Plastic pay range in Grand Rapids
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,640 a year or less, while the top 10% make $76,270 or more. The middle half of model makers, metal and plastic in Grand Rapids earn between $38,640 and $52,180.
- $39K10th
- $39K25th
- $44KMedian
- $52K75th
- $76K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $49,390 | $4,116 | $23.75 |
| Median | $44,220 | $3,685 | $21.26 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $38,640 | $3,220 | $18.58 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $52,180 | $4,348 | $25.09 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic pay in Grand Rapids vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Model makers, metal and plastic in Grand Rapids earn 26% less than the Michigan average ($66,770) and 28% less than the U.S. average ($68,570). At the median the gap is -30% against the U.S. median of $63,340.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | $49,390 | $44,220 | $38,640 | $76,270 | 70 |
| Michigan | $66,770 | $60,540 | $38,060 | $99,010 | 710 |
| United States | $68,570 | $63,340 | $39,760 | $99,010 | 2,610 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary after taxes in Grand Rapids
On the average salary of $49,390, a single filer in Grand Rapids takes home about $39,358 a year, or $3,280 a month and $1,514 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).
Is Grand Rapids a good place for model makers, metal and plastic? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Grand Rapids area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.5), so the average $49,390 buys what about $51,692 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Grand Rapids ($47,570). A typical home costs $359,923, or 7.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary in other Michigan cities
Grand Rapids ranks 2nd of 2 Michigan metro areas for this job; Detroit pays the most ($74,150).
- Detroit$74,150
- Grand Rapids$49,390
Highest-paying cities for model makers, metal and plastic
Los Angeles, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($98,390).
- Los Angeles, CA$98,390
- San Francisco, CA$91,910
- Dallas, TX$84,380
- New York, NY$79,910
- Boston, MA$78,990
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Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary in Grand Rapids: questions
How much do model makers, metal and plastic make an hour in Grand Rapids?
$23.74 an hour on average, and $21.26 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level model makers, metal and plastic salary in Grand Rapids?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,640 a year and the 25th percentile is $38,640, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the model makers, metal and plastic take-home pay in Grand Rapids?
About $39,358 a year ($3,280 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $49,390. Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).
Do model makers, metal and plastic earn more in Grand Rapids than elsewhere?
The average here is 28% less than the U.S. average for this job ($68,570).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-4061; area Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI (24340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 6.70, this job is 6.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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