Pontiac Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Pontiac, MI: $23.02/hr median hourly wage, $47,874 median annual salary, cost of living index 87.9, and $10.33/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Michigan taxes.
Pontiac Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Pontiac, MI is $23.02/hr, equivalent to $47,874 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $14.27/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $32.69/hr, and the local minimum wage is $10.33/hr.
Median Salary
$47,874
$23.02/hr
Cost of Living
87.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$10.33
per hour
Unemployment
4.4%
rate
Pontiac, MI Overview
Population
61,606
Median Salary
$47,874
Average Salary
$53,619
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Rent
$1,015/mo
Job Growth
+0.6%
Sales Tax
6%
Pontiac is located in Michigan with a population of 61,606. The median household salary is $47,874 per year ($23.02/hour), which is $11,510 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.6%.
Pontiac Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Pontiac, MI based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $47,874 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $29,682 | $14.27/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $47,874 | $23.02/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $67,981 | $32.69/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $85,216 | $40.98/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Pontiac Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Pontiac, MI, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$38,325
$3,193.74/month · $1,474.03/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.9%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,474.03 take-home per paycheck after estimated Michigan and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$47,874
Federal Tax
-$3,565
State Tax
-$2,035
Local Tax
-$287
FICA
-$3,662
Net Pay
$38,325
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,989.50 | $47,874.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$297.07 | -$3,564.88 |
| Michigan State Tax (4.25%) | -$169.55 | -$2,034.65 |
| Local Tax (0.6%) | -$23.94 | -$287.24 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$247.35 | -$2,968.19 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$57.85 | -$694.17 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,193.74 | $38,324.87 |
Salary Comparison: Pontiac vs Other Cities
See how Pontiac's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac, MI | $47,874 | 87.9 | $54,464 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Jupiter, FL | $47,881 | 94.7 | $50,561 |
| McCandless, PA | $47,818 | 95.1 | $50,282 |
| Roseville, MI | $47,934 | 82.7 | $57,961 |
| Elyria, OH | $47,946 | 92.5 | $51,834 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Pontiac
Pontiac's cost of living index is 87.9 (national average = 100). Living in Pontiac is 12.099999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,015
Annual Rent Cost
$12,180
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $38,325 annual take-home pay in Pontiac has the purchasing power of approximately $43,601 in an average-cost US area. Your $47,874 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Pontiac
Pontiac's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $47,874.
Salary Tips for Pontiac Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Pontiac has a cost of living 12.099999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $47,874 here has the purchasing power of about $54,464 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Pontiac's top industries include Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $47,874 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Pontiac salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Pontiac-MI metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Pontiac indexed at 87.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Pontiac's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $47,874 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Michigan state income tax (4.25%), plus Pontiac local tax of 0.6%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Pontiac: 4.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Michigan.
- Housing context: median home price $246,000, median rent $1,015/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Pontiac, MI:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Pontiac unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Pontiac QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Michigan — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Pontiac's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Michigan labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Pontiac, MI?
The median hourly wage in Pontiac, MI is $23.02 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $47,874 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $14.27/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $32.69/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Pontiac, MI?
The median salary in Pontiac, MI is $47,874 per year, or $23.02 per hour. The average salary is $53,619. This is $11,510 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Pontiac, MI?
Pontiac's cost of living index is 87.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.099999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $246,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,015.
What are the best industries in Pontiac?
The top industries in Pontiac, MI include Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 0.6% and an unemployment rate of 4.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $47,874.
How does Pontiac's salary compare to other cities?
Pontiac's median salary of $47,874 is 19.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 87.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,464.
What is the minimum wage in Pontiac, MI?
The minimum wage in Pontiac, MI is $10.33 per hour. This equals approximately $21,486 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $3.08 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.