Among Michigan’s 15 metropolitan areas, Detroit-Warren-Livonia (mechanical engineers) and Flint (industrial engineers) were the only areas to have annual wages significantly above their respective national average wage among three selected engineering occupations, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Charlene Peiffer noted that Grand Rapids-Wyoming, Holland-Grand Haven, Kalamazoo-Portage, Lansing-East Lansing, and Muskegon-Norton Shores registered wages significantly below those of the nation for all three of the selected engineering occupations. Nationwide, the average (mean) wage for civil engineers was $84,140, industrial engineers earned $82,100 per year, and mechanical engineers annual pay averaged $84,770. (See table A. For comprehensive definitions of metropolitan areas in Michigan, please see Technical Note.)

Of the 15 metropolitan areas located entirely or partially in the state, Detroit-Warren-Livonia was one of the larger employers of industrial engineers (13,050) and civil engineers (3,270). Outside of the Detroit area, Grand Rapids-Wyoming was among the largest employers of civil engineers (520), industrial engineers (2,130), and mechanical engineers (1,150). (See table B.)

Wages for civil engineers in metropolitan areas in Michigan

Civil engineers employed in Monroe ($79,170), Jackson ($78,860), and Niles-Benton Harbor ($77,640) were among the better paid in the state; however, wages were not significantly higher than the national average of $84,140 in these or any of Michigan’s other metropolitan areas. In fact, eleven areas reported wages that were significantly below the U.S. average. Saginaw-Saginaw Township North ($58,730) and Kalamazoo-Portage ($64,790) were among the lower paying areas.

Wages for industrial engineers in metropolitan areas in Michigan

Flint’s $88,760 annual wage was the only metropolitan area in the state to be measurably higher than the U.S. average of $82,100 for industrial engineers. Detroit-Warren-Livonia ($83,440), Ann Arbor ($81,190), and Monroe ($81,180) were among the top paid areas, all having earnings similar to the national average. Nine other areas had average annual wages below that of the nation for this occupation including Muskegon-Norton Shores at $63,150 and Holland-Grand Haven at $64,920.

Wages for mechanical engineers in metropolitan areas in Michigan

At $90,550, Detroit-Warren-Livonia was the only metropolitan area in Michigan to record an annual wage above the national average of $84,770 for mechanical engineers. Annual mean wages in ten metropolitan areas in the state were measurably below the U.S. average for this occupation including Jackson ($65,900), Holland-Grand Haven ($66,240), and Muskegon-Norton Shores ($66, 290).

These statistics are from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, a federal-state cooperative program between BLS and State Workforce Agencies, in this case, the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. The OES survey provides estimates of employment and hourly and annual wages for wage and salary workers in 22 major occupational groups and about 800 non-military detailed occupations for the nation, states, metropolitan statistical areas, metropolitan divisions, and nonmetropolitan areas.

Technical Note

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey is a semiannual mail survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are also surveyed, but their data are not included in the national estimates. OES estimates are constructed from a sample of about 1.2 million establishments. Each year, forms are mailed to two semiannual panels of approximately 200,000 establishments in May and the other in November. May 2012 estimates are based on responses from six semiannual panels collected over a 3-year period: May 2012, November 2011, May 2011, November 2010, May 2010, and November 2009. The overall national response rate for the six panels is 76.6 percent based on establishments and 72.9 percent based on employment. For more information about OES concepts and methodology, go to www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.tn.htm.

With the release of the May 2012 estimates, OES data are based on the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system for the first time. The OES survey provides estimates of employment and hourly and annual wages for wage and salary workers in 22 major occupational groups and more than 800 detailed occupations for the nation, states, metropolitan statistical areas, metropolitan divisions, and nonmetropolitan areas. In addition, employment and wage estimates for 94 minor groups and 458 broad occupations are available in the national data for the first time. Information about the 2010 SOC is available on the BLS website at www.bls.gov/soc.

The May 2012 OES estimates are the first to be produced using the 2012 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Information about the 2012 NAICS is available on the BLS website at www.bls.gov/bls/naics.htm.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339.

Metropolitan area definitions

The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

Ann Arbor, Mich. MSA consists of Washtenaw County.

Battle Creek, Mich. MSA consists of Calhoun County

Bay City, Mich. MSA consists of Bay County.

Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich. MSA consists of Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Wayne Counties.

Flint, Mich. MSA consists of Genesee County.

Grand Rapids-Wyoming, Mich. MSA consists of Barry, Ionia, Kent, and Newaygo Counties.

Holland-Grand Haven, Mich. MSA consists of Ottawa County.

Jackson, Mich. MSA consists of Jackson County.

Kalamazoo-Portage, Mich. MSA consists of Kalamazoo and Van Buren Counties.

Lansing-East Lansing, Mich. MSA consists of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties.

Monroe, Mich. MSA consists of Monroe County.

Muskegon-Norton Shores, Mich. MSA consists of Muskegon County.

Niles-Benton Harbor, Mich. MSA consists of Berrien County.

Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, Mich. MSA consists of Saginaw County.

South Bend-Mishawaka, Mich. MSA consists of Cass County in Michigan and St. Joseph County in Indiana.