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Average salary by job family in Decatur
| Management | $125,230 |
|---|---|
| Architecture and Engineering | $108,480 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $98,520 |
| Legal | $93,490 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $83,120 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $80,740 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $78,030 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $67,090 |
| Construction and Extraction | $57,100 |
| Production | $55,860 |
| Community and Social Service | $55,640 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $52,350 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $52,280 |
| Protective Service | $51,440 |
| Sales and Related | $47,070 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $46,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $45,690 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $40,060 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $34,720 |
| Healthcare Support | $33,250 |
| Personal Care and Service | $32,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $29,150 |
Highest-paying jobs in Decatur
- Physicians, All Other$305,990
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$164,740
- Financial Managers$157,890
- Industrial Production Managers$152,250
- Sales Managers$149,200
- Lawyers$147,610
- Marketing Managers$144,230
- General and Operations Managers$140,280
- Aerospace Engineers$138,130
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$137,850
Most common jobs in Decatur and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 1,830 | $42,210 | $43,120 |
| Retail Salespersons | 1,580 | $34,400 | $31,550 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 1,420 | $60,530 | $59,390 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 1,280 | $25,750 | $25,720 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 1,260 | $44,230 | $43,900 |
| Cashiers | 1,260 | $28,190 | $28,880 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,200 | $34,370 | $32,120 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 1,140 | $27,820 | $27,430 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 1,090 | $38,220 | $36,160 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 1,080 | $32,770 | $30,410 |
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Cost of living in Decatur
Prices in the Decatur area are 13% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 87.2 for 2024. The average local salary of $57,830 therefore buys what $66,310 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $232,614, 3.6 times the median household income of $63,987.
$232,614typical home value
$63,987median household income
87.2BEA price parity
156,924metro population
Take-home pay in Decatur
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $33,690 | $27,903 | $2,325 |
| Median wage | $46,280 | $37,461 | $3,122 |
| Average wage | $57,830 | $46,233 | $3,853 |
| 75th percentile wage | $69,630 | $54,897 | $4,575 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). City occupational taxes (for example in Birmingham and Gadsden) are not included.
Salaries for every job in Decatur
Management18 jobs
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$165K
- Financial Managers$158K
- Industrial Production Managers$152K
- Sales Managers$149K
- Marketing Managers$144K
- General and Operations Managers$140K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$138K
- Purchasing Managers$136K
- Facilities Managers$136K
- Human Resources Managers$133K
- Managers, All Other$127K
- Construction Managers$104K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$99K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$98K
- Education Administrators, All Other$90K
- Social and Community Service Managers$80K
- Food Service Managers$66K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$61K
Architecture and Engineering13 jobs
- Aerospace Engineers$138K
- Materials Engineers$130K
- Chemical Engineers$126K
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors$125K
- Electrical Engineers$123K
- Environmental Engineers$120K
- Mechanical Engineers$119K
- Industrial Engineers$116K
- Civil Engineers$111K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$67K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$66K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$54K
Computer and Mathematical6 jobs
Legal2 jobs
Life, Physical, and Social Science5 jobs
Business and Financial Operations15 jobs
- Project Management Specialists$115K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$114K
- Management Analysts$113K
- Training and Development Specialists$100K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$98K
- Logisticians$91K
- Loan Officers$89K
- Insurance Underwriters$80K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$78K
- Accountants and Auditors$78K
- Cost Estimators$76K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$74K
- Compliance Officers$74K
- Human Resources Specialists$71K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$69K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical19 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$306K
- Pharmacists$127K
- Family Medicine Physicians$125K
- Nurse Practitioners$111K
- Physical Therapists$104K
- Occupational Therapists$95K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$73K
- Registered Nurses$71K
- Dental Hygienists$62K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$57K
- Paramedics$53K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$52K
- Surgical Technologists$48K
- Medical Records Specialists$44K
- Pharmacy Technicians$42K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$40K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$37K
- Psychiatric Technicians$37K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$35K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair16 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$88K
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$82K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$77K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$68K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$66K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$65K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$65K
- Millwrights$61K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$59K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$55K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$55K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$53K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$51K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$44K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$42K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$37K
Construction and Extraction14 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$75K
- Electricians$75K
- Boilermakers$72K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$66K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$59K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$56K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$54K
- Carpenters$53K
- Roofers$49K
- Sheet Metal Workers$47K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$44K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$43K
- Helpers--Electricians$41K
- Construction Laborers$40K
Production32 jobs
- Power Plant Operators$106K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$91K
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$89K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$84K
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$74K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$63K
- Machinists$62K
- Tool and Die Makers$61K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$60K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$59K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$58K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$57K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$51K
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$51K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47K
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$46K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45K
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$42K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$42K
- Printing Press Operators$40K
- Food Batchmakers$39K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$38K
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$37K
- Helpers--Production Workers$37K
- Sewing Machine Operators$33K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$33K
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$32K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$29K
Community and Social Service5 jobs
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media3 jobs
Educational Instruction and Library8 jobs
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$66K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$65K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$63K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$62K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$62K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$62K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$25K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$22K
Protective Service5 jobs
Sales and Related9 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$83K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$72K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$64K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$53K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$36K
- Parts Salespersons$36K
- Retail Salespersons$34K
- Cashiers$28K
Office and Administrative Support25 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$69K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$64K
- Postal Service Clerks$62K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$61K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$61K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$54K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$54K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$51K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$48K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$48K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$45K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44K
- Bill and Account Collectors$44K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$44K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$43K
- Customer Service Representatives$43K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$42K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$41K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$40K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$39K
- Tellers$38K
- Data Entry Keyers$37K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$33K
- Office Clerks, General$32K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$29K
Transportation and Material Moving14 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$68K
- Crane and Tower Operators$66K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$61K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$53K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$44K
- Light Truck Drivers$43K
- Driver/Sales Workers$40K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$38K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$37K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$34K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$33K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$30K
- Bus Drivers, School$19K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry1 jobs
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance6 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$58K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$50K
- Pest Control Workers$40K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$36K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28K
Healthcare Support6 jobs
Personal Care and Service7 jobs
Food Preparation and Serving Related12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$41K
- Bartenders$34K
- Cooks, Restaurant$33K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$30K
- Dishwashers$29K
- Food Preparation Workers$29K
- Cooks, Fast Food$29K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$27K
- Waiters and Waitresses$26K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$26K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$26K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$25K
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Salary in Decatur: questions
What is a good salary in Decatur?
Half of all workers in the Decatur metro earn less than $46,280 and the average is $57,830. Earning more than $69,630 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Decatur to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $60,848, because prices here are 13% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 87.2).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Decatur?
Physicians, All Other ($305,990), Architectural and Engineering Managers ($164,740), Financial Managers ($157,890).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Decatur, AL (19460), all occupations and 241 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). City occupational taxes (for example in Birmingham and Gadsden) are not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.