Special-Lite Salary

As of September 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Special-Lite in the United States is $37. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $76,888. Salaries at Special-Lite typically range from $33 to $42 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Special-Lite Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Special-Lite. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Director of Finance and Accounting, with an hourly wage of $92. The table below outlines the hourly wage ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Sales Manager

$78 / hour

Salary Range: $68 - $90

Sales

Technical Performance Specialist - Tooling Tryout

$53 / hour

Salary Range: $49 - $57

Engineering

Tooling Tryout Technician

$45 / hour

Salary Range: $42 - $49

Engineering

Technical Support Representative

$24 / hour

Salary Range: $21 - $27

Technical Support

Director of Finance and Accounting

$92 / hour

Salary Range: $82 - $105

Management

Business Systems Analyst

$41 / hour

Salary Range: $38 - $46

Information Technology

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

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About Special-Lite: Company Profile

Website
www.special-lite.com
Founded In
1971
Employees
200 - 500 employees
Industry
MFG Durable
Headquarter Location
DECATUR
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About SPECIAL-LITE
Special-Lite is the manufacturer of entrance systems for educational, municipal, industrial and institutional facilities.

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Special-Lite's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
There’s pride in producing something customers can rely on. A truly positive workplace. The footprint provides stability while maintaining a culture where individuals matter. Communication is generally clear but could improve in some areas. The environment is clean and quiet.
It’s a genuinely supportive environment. There’s a culture of respect and innovation, and employees are encouraged to contribute ideas. Meetings are brief and functional.
From procurement to delivery, everything is thoughtfully managed. Despite having employees across multiple shifts, there's a strong sense of teamwork and mutual respect. Leadership is visible but doesn’t always follow through quickly on suggestions or feedback. The organization focuses on employee well-being and process improvement. This culture of appreciation boosts morale and motivates everyone...
They invest in state-of-the-art equipment, making day-to-day tasks safer and more efficient. Management is approachable and values our input, creating a sense of partnership rather than just employment. Regular training, readily available PPE, and a culture where you’re encouraged to speak up about concerns make me feel safe and respected on the job every single day. Training programs exist but an...

Is Special-Lite’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Special-Lite's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
SEMCO PLASTIC COMPANY, INC. $39
+5.0%
Supported by SEMCO PLASTIC COMPANY, INC.'s high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
SYNTECH DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING, INC. $41
+11.3%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in SYNTECH DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING, INC.'s primary metro hubs.
SWEENEY AUCTION SERVICE $36
-3.4%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where SWEENEY AUCTION SERVICE primarily operates.
SIGNATURE WORKS INC $34
-7.7%
SIGNATURE WORKS INC may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
MFG Durable Industry $59
+58.3%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Grand Rapids?

Understanding the cost of living near Grand Rapids is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Special-Lite.
Grand Rapids' Cost of Living Index is approximately 89.5 (10.5% less expensive than US average; 2.0% less than MI average). Western MI city, growing, affordable housing. The Rapid bus. When planning your budget based on a salary from Special-Lite, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,000 - $1,500+ A significant portion of Special-Lite salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $40 (The Rapid monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $380 - $560 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $330 - $630+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $360 - $660+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,210 - $3,580+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Special-Lite

FAQ 1: How much does Special-Lite in the United States pay?
Special-Lite pays its employees an average of $37 per hour. The average salary at Special-Lite range from $33 to $42 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.
FAQ 2: Do Special-Lite employees get a higher salary than its peer company?
The salary at Special-Lite is lesser than its peer company. The average annual salary at Special-Lite is $76,888, or an hourly wage of $37, in comparison to SEMCO PLASTIC COMPANY, INC. which pays $80,744 per year or $39 per hour.
FAQ 3: How much does salary increase with years of experience at Special-Lite?
Salary progression with years of experience at Special-Lite is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.
FAQ 4: Do salaries at Special-Lite vary by office location?
Yes, it's very likely that salaries at Special-Lite vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for Grand Rapids section provides more context.
FAQ 5: Does Special-Lite offer good benefits?
Special-Lite typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Special-Lite" section on this page.