Electrician Salary

Detroit vs Rochester Hills: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Detroit, MI and Rochester Hills, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$83,728
$40.26/hr
Rochester Hills, MI
$78,225
$37.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIRochester Hills, MI
Median Salary$83,728$78,225
Hourly Rate$40.26$37.61
Entry Level (P10)$47,649$50,387
25th Percentile$61,527$63,500
75th Percentile$96,340$100,128
Top Earner (P90)$109,605$121,249
Total Employed11,21012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($83,728) and Rochester Hills ($78,225) electrician salaries.DetroitRochester HillsMedian Salary$83,728$78,225Entry Level (P10)$47,649$50,387Top Earner (P90)$109,605$121,249US Median $64,530

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester Hills.

The salary gap between Detroit and Rochester Hills is $5,503 (7.03%). Detroit's median is +29.75% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $61,956,Rochester Hills spans $70,862. Rochester Hills has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$47,649
P25$61,527
Median$83,728
P75$96,340
P90 (Top)$109,605
Rochester Hills
P10 (Entry)$50,387
P25$63,500
Median$78,225
P75$100,128
P90 (Top)$121,249

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester Hills ($83,932 effective) pays 0.54% more than Detroit ($83,479 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $83,728
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $83,479
Rochester Hills
Nominal: $78,225
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $83,932

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 ($83,728/year)
  • Larger job market (11,210 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester Hills if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($121,249)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,932)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Detroit grew 18.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.9% growth in Rochester Hills over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+18.8%

$68,990 (2019) → $81,990 (2025)

Rochester Hills, MI

+14.9%

$66,669 (2024) → $76,601 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Detroit or Rochester Hills?

Detroit has a higher median electrician salary at $83,728/year, compared to Rochester Hills at $78,225/year — a difference of $5,503 (7.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Rochester Hills?

Detroit electricians earn $40.26/hr while Rochester Hills hygienists earn $37.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Rochester Hills as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Rochester Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $83,479, Rochester Hills = $83,932), job availability (11,210 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Detroit vs Rochester Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $47,649 in Detroit and $50,387 in Rochester Hills. The Rochester Hills area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% 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 Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov