Special-Lite Salary

As of August 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Special-Lite in the United States is $76,888. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $37. Salaries at Special-Lite typically range from $67,615 to $87,249 annually, 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 annual salary of $191,976. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Sales Manager

$162,882 / year

Salary Range: $141,562 - $186,912

Sales

Technical Performance Specialist - Tooling Tryout

$109,843 / year

Salary Range: $101,182 - $119,364

Engineering

Tooling Tryout Technician

$94,252 / year

Salary Range: $87,084 - $102,477

Engineering

Technical Support Representative

$49,122 / year

Salary Range: $43,897 - $55,402

Technical Support

Director of Finance and Accounting

$191,976 / year

Salary Range: $169,559 - $217,672

Management

Business Systems Analyst

$86,076 / year

Salary Range: $78,076 - $95,333

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. $80,745
+5.0%
Data suggests SEMCO PLASTIC COMPANY, INC.'s workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
SYNTECH DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING, INC. $85,557
+11.3%
Reflects structural premiums typical of SYNTECH DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING, INC.'s large-cap national operations.
SWEENEY AUCTION SERVICE $74,303
-3.4%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like SWEENEY AUCTION SERVICE.
SIGNATURE WORKS INC $70,972
-7.7%
SIGNATURE WORKS INC likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
MFG Durable Industry $121,746
+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 a Special-Lite employee make?
Special-Lite pays its employees an average of $76,888 per year. The average salary at Special-Lite range from $67,615 to $87,249 per year. 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: Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Special-Lite?
The salary at Special-Lite is lesser than the similar 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: Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Special-Lite?
In many roles at Special-Lite, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.
FAQ 4: How does the cost of living near Grand Rapids affect the perceived value of a Special-Lite salary?
Grand Rapids' Cost of Living Index is approximately 89.5 (10.5% less expensive than US average; 2.0% less than MI average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Special-Lite based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Grand Rapids" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.
FAQ 5: What kind of benefits does Special-Lite typically offer employees?
Special-Lite generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Special-Lite" section on this page.