City Town Info

Auburn Employment

Employment and Industries in the Auburn, Alabama Area

Auburn is located in Lee County and is the largest city in eastern Alabama. Auburn is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the state. The city is home to Auburn University and is regarded as a college town. In addition, the city's cost of living index is close to the national average. The average salary in Auburn in 2009 was $34,000. According to Auburn employment statistics, 27% of employees have a bachelor's degree and 29% have a graduate degree.

For workers with children, Auburn's school system has repeatedly been placed among the top public school systems in Alabama and the country. Parenting Magazine ranked Auburn city school districts in the top 100 school districts in the nation.

Auburn University and university-associated services are major factors for the economy. The university employs about one-quarter of the city's workforce. Also, a large number of residents have federal and state government jobs that are generally connected with Auburn University. Roughly half of the Auburn workforce is employed in service sector positions. Some of the most common jobs in the city are management, professional and related professions. Sales and office jobs are also prevalent.

Auburn University is known for its business, agriculture, engineering and veterinary medicine programs. The school typically has over 20,000 students. The university is regarded as a research institution. The university emphasizes the areas of molecular biosciences, engineering, aqua culture, forest sustainability and transportation. The university's facilities include the Center for Micorfibrous Materials Manufacturing, the Space Power Institute, the Forest Products Development Center and the National Center for Asphalt Technology.

The city's Economic Development Department recruited numerous small to medium size technology companies to Auburn. About 30% of the jobs in Auburn are in the manufacturing sector. Mid-sized high-tech manufacturing and research companies are major factors for the city's industrial base. The city includes companies that manufacture automotive wheels, small engines, plastic injection technology, tools, vehicle armor, fuel cells and other items. Auburn also has several research centers including the Ludwig von Misies Institute.

Some major employers in Auburn are:

  • Auburn University
  • Briggs & Stratton
  • Auburn City Schools
  • Master Brand Cabinet Company
  • Federal Government
  • City of Auburn and the Water Works Board
  • Falk Corporation
  • Donaldson Company
  • EPOS Corporation
  • Hoerbiger Hydraulics
  • Touchstone Precision
  • Stahlschmidt & Maiworm
  • Weidmann Plastics
  • Capitol Vial

The leading industries in Auburn are:

  • Education
  • Health and social services
  • Manufacturing
  • Technology
  • Entertainment and recreation
  • Food services
  • Retail trade

Some of the major business related organizations in Auburn include:

The Central Alabama Business Journal is an excellent publication to help individuals stay current on business activities in the Auburn area.

Most Popular Jobs in Auburn, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses68052,940$40,310 - 65,72024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education66039,870$29,390 - 52,32014%95%
3Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education34041,890$31,620 - 51,32011%95%
4Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products32044,670$18,770 - 76,1408%51%
5Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education29042,960$30,770 - 54,8606%96%
6Accountants and auditors24050,220$26,370 - 80,08018%79%
7Coaches and scouts150 $ - 15%60%
8Educational, vocational, and school counselors15046,020$32,950 - 59,98013%73%
9Pharmacists14087,420$27,750 - 127,05022%97%
10Industrial engineers12071,510$51,760 - 99,97020%74%
11Public relations specialists12042,700$22,200 - 70,32018%81%
12Social and human service assistants10023,520$17,370 - 34,34034%58%
13Network and computer systems administrators10061,830$42,460 - 82,49027%50%
14Librarians9052,720$39,810 - 70,8304%85%
15Training and development specialists9036,990$26,560 - 55,94018%56%
16Education administrators, elementary and secondary school8069,000$52,480 - 92,3208%78%
17Civil engineers8058,190$15,680 - 87,99018%87%
18Mechanical engineers8069,380$48,410 - 82,2104%78%
19Financial managers7090,760$49,370 - 157,69013%60%
20Computer and information systems managers70100,590$62,370 - 146,50016%73%
21Managers, all other7082,050$32,740 - 134,5307%55%
22Computer systems analysts7064,720$46,140 - 82,79029%68%
23Child, family, and school social workers7039,510$28,320 - 57,43019%77%
24Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other6053,510$32,000 - 84,07017%56%
25Management analysts6089,990$45,180 - 129,67022%78%
26Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school6045,850$37,920 - 52,77020%87%
27Chief executives60150,480$70,210 - 2%65%
28Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists5037,740$33,640 - 40,82011%58%
29Legislators4017,190$13,060 - 23,5901%65%
30Detectives and criminal investigators4040,640$30,580 - 52,98017%54%
31Graphic designers4037,130$24,750 - 49,40010%55%
32Medical and public health social workers4043,340$33,660 - 51,31024%77%
33Foresters3063,860$41,190 - 115,8305%86%
34Vocational education teachers, secondary school3054,970$44,350 - 75,6900%96%
35Advertising sales agents3053,180$21,910 - 127,00020%56%
36Special education teachers, secondary school3043,970$36,130 - 52,6009%87%
37Engineering managers3091,340$65,020 - 123,4907%84%
38Medical and health services managers3086,340$44,670 - 130,79016%57%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Cashiers2,02015,850$12,850 - 19,860-2%10%
2Retail salespersons1,80023,010$13,440 - 39,10012%25%
3Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,34015,000$12,830 - 18,46018%5%
4Waiters and waitresses1,28015,350$12,770 - 19,60011%14%
5Team assemblers1,28022,960$20,000 - 28,1000%5%
6Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,14027,670$19,660 - 37,3201%18%
7Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,02020,270$13,370 - 30,90015%4%
8Office clerks, general96021,190$13,700 - 31,98013%19%
9First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers86032,130$15,470 - 50,0904%25%
10Stock clerks and order fillers82021,220$13,580 - 34,500-7%8%
11Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer69027,550$19,770 - 37,49010%4%
12General and operations managers68089,300$34,800 - 164,7502%48%
13Customer service representatives61025,360$17,050 - 34,99025%22%
14First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers59040,290$24,980 - 61,0306%29%
15Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks54028,530$16,580 - 40,58013%16%
16Cooks, restaurant50018,060$13,290 - 24,50012%5%
17Helpers--production workers48022,750$14,000 - 36,4900%4%
18Maintenance and repair workers, general47029,520$17,330 - 44,57010%6%
19Construction laborers46021,000$15,670 - 29,70011%5%
20Landscaping and groundskeeping workers40020,320$14,240 - 30,35018%6%
21Child care workers39017,780$12,990 - 25,56018%15%
22First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers39028,810$19,010 - 39,32011%14%
23Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic38021,520$16,540 - 29,200-14%0%
24Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers37029,930$15,370 - 47,760-6%14%
25Police and sheriff's patrol officers35037,560$27,250 - 51,31011%33%
26Carpenters34028,900$18,210 - 40,13010%6%
27First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers33050,370$32,680 - 73,150-4%15%
28Counter and rental clerks31020,670$13,010 - 33,81023%16%
29Receptionists and information clerks30018,130$13,390 - 24,52017%13%
30Industrial machinery mechanics29042,370$33,520 - 56,1809%5%
31Tellers27021,900$16,880 - 26,83014%16%
32Teacher assistants27017,040$13,070 - 22,02010%18%
33Recreation workers27018,120$12,840 - 32,85013%47%
34Electricians26039,100$26,120 - 59,1307%7%
35Maids and housekeeping cleaners26016,880$13,040 - 23,20013%5%
36Security guards26019,100$13,820 - 24,38017%13%
37First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers26047,410$29,100 - 66,8607%13%
38Food preparation workers25016,150$13,030 - 19,56015%7%
39Cooks, fast food24014,140$12,680 - 15,9108%5%
40Truck drivers, light or delivery services24024,690$14,540 - 45,4308%4%
41First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers23048,230$31,250 - 69,7809%10%
42Preschool teachers, except special education22022,950$14,750 - 32,56026%43%
43Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators22028,080$21,030 - 38,7408%3%
44Industrial truck and tractor operators21029,990$21,570 - 44,800-1%2%
45Executive secretaries and administrative assistants20044,470$33,280 - 62,77015%18%
46Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop20015,720$12,880 - 19,12010%17%
47Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks20029,020$14,200 - 47,7504%6%
48Automotive service technicians and mechanics19034,370$17,730 - 57,78014%4%
49Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders19039,840$22,560 - 58,640-7%0%
50Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic19022,850$15,600 - 31,640-12%0%
51Computer support specialists18037,250$20,260 - 54,72013%43%
52Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic18027,630$20,600 - 39,690-2%6%
53Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic17026,390$13,300 - 46,9200%3%
54Dishwashers16016,540$13,020 - 21,38010%3%
55Bus drivers, school16023,010$13,010 - 38,0509%4%
56Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses16032,580$22,920 - 41,89014%7%
57Sales representatives, services, all other150 28%48%
58Bartenders15015,510$12,750 - 21,99011%17%
59Cooks, institution and cafeteria15016,740$13,130 - 22,32011%5%
60Billing and posting clerks and machine operators14026,630$17,690 - 34,3704%15%
61Pharmacy technicians14024,390$17,100 - 32,38032%16%
62Medical assistants13023,590$16,510 - 32,51035%10%
63Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks12015,790$12,980 - 19,71017%14%
64First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand12039,380$24,840 - 51,26013%17%
65Packers and packagers, hand12017,020$12,970 - 26,410-11%3%
66Postal service mail carriers120 1%11%
67Machinists12035,220$26,550 - 47,400-2%3%
68Bill and account collectors11021,220$16,460 - 26,28023%13%
69Library assistants, clerical11022,140$13,800 - 32,9608%37%
70Insurance sales agents11033,220$25,420 - 41,48013%45%
71Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers11025,620$17,890 - 31,1005%2%
72Bakers10033,760$20,570 - 39,74010%8%
73Kindergarten teachers, except special education10042,190$31,810 - 52,88016%43%
74Automotive body and related repairers10035,150$20,450 - 48,58012%3%
75Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters10033,950$25,670 - 43,82011%4%
76Industrial production managers9072,700$45,750 - 101,750-5%43%
77Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers9015,420$12,890 - 19,34012%6%
78Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers9031,160$19,700 - 39,5509%3%
79Pest control workers9020,380$13,540 - 31,28016%9%
80Legal secretaries9028,870$21,500 - 38,50012%18%
81Driver/sales workers9019,880$13,200 - 31,080-4%4%
82Amusement and recreation attendants9015,470$12,880 - 19,07024%22%
83Dental assistants8026,300$18,220 - 33,80029%9%
84Pipelayers8028,290$20,440 - 34,6109%4%
85Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters8023,710$17,780 - 31,2503%4%
86Loan officers8077,880$56,090 - 103,76012%49%
87Production, planning, and expediting clerks8038,230$25,330 - 58,2604%30%
88Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors8026,020$14,440 - 37,04027%47%
89Office and administrative support workers, all other7022,500$13,180 - 38,020-8%32%
90Food servers, nonrestaurant7016,880$13,120 - 22,40016%9%
91Dental hygienists7045,250$33,040 - 61,21030%33%
92First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers7031,240$16,980 - 46,13013%11%
93Correctional officers and jailers70 17%11%
94Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers7019,560$13,150 - 30,68016%10%
95First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers7038,120$23,170 - 54,77018%15%
96Food service managers7047,110$35,760 - 61,8705%24%
97Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers6028,150$17,470 - 38,86014%11%
98Painters, construction and maintenance6023,470$13,300 - 36,92012%6%
99Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators6039,370$27,880 - 50,79014%8%
100File clerks6016,060$12,880 - 19,710-40%20%
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Auburn property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near Auburn Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders39,84019011.7
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic26,3901708.5
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic21,5203806.1
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic22,8501905.6
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic27,6301805.1
Team assemblers22,9601,2804.4
Industrial machinery mechanics42,3702903.9
Helpers--production workers22,7504803.8
Library assistants, clerical22,1401103.6
Recreation workers18,1202703.4
Coaches and scouts 1503.1
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers29,9303702.9
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers32,1308602.5
Bakers33,7601002.5
Automotive body and related repairers35,1501002.4
Counter and rental clerks20,6703102.3
Child care workers17,7803902.3
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand39,3801202.2
Kindergarten teachers, except special education42,1901002.2
Educational, vocational, and school counselors46,0201502.2
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators28,0802202.1
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive27,6701,1402.1
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers47,4102602
Industrial engineers71,5101202
Police and sheriff's patrol officers37,5603502
Cashiers15,8502,0202
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks15,7901202
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education41,8903401.9
Preschool teachers, except special education22,9502201.9
Cooks, restaurant18,0605001.9
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop15,7202001.9
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers50,3703301.8
Pharmacists87,4201401.8
Waiters and waitresses15,3501,2801.8
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food15,0001,3401.7
Elementary school teachers, except special education39,8706601.7
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers28,8103901.7
Tellers21,9002701.6
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners20,2701,0201.6
Public relations specialists42,7001201.6
Cooks, institution and cafeteria16,7401501.6
Cooks, fast food14,1402401.6
Construction laborers21,0004601.6
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer27,5506901.5
Pharmacy technicians24,3901401.5
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers20,3204001.5
Stock clerks and order fillers21,2208201.5
General and operations managers89,3006801.4
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers40,2905901.4
Electricians39,1002601.4

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Auburn, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders39,8401.3190
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants44,4701.15200
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks29,0201.02200
Industrial truck and tractor operators29,9901210
Industrial engineers71,5100.98120
Helpers--production workers22,7500.96480
Dishwashers16,5400.96160
Machinists35,2200.95120
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers28,8100.95390
Industrial machinery mechanics42,3700.95290
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers50,3700.95330
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive27,6700.951,140
Automotive service technicians and mechanics34,3700.95190
Retail salespersons23,0100.941,800
Stock clerks and order fillers21,2200.93820
General and operations managers89,3000.93680
Tellers21,9000.92270
Library assistants, clerical22,1400.92110
Child care workers17,7800.92390
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand39,3800.92120
Preschool teachers, except special education22,9500.9220
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers40,2900.89590
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers29,9300.89370
Educational, vocational, and school counselors46,0200.89150
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks28,5300.89540
Computer support specialists37,2500.89180
Counter and rental clerks20,6700.89310
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop15,7200.89200
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners20,2700.891,020
Maids and housekeeping cleaners16,8800.88260
Bus drivers, school23,0100.88160
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators26,6300.88140
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food15,0000.871,340
Pharmacy technicians24,3900.87140
Maintenance and repair workers, general29,5200.86470
Registered nurses52,9400.86680
Cashiers15,8500.862,020
Customer service representatives25,3600.85610
Truck drivers, light or delivery services24,6900.85240
Public relations specialists42,7000.85120
Food preparation workers16,1500.84250
Accountants and auditors50,2200.84240
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education42,9600.84290
Team assemblers22,9600.841,280
Medical assistants23,5900.84130
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers20,3200.84400
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic26,3900.84170
Packers and packagers, hand17,0200.83120
Electricians39,1000.83260
Pharmacists87,4200.83140

Highest Paying Jobs in Auburn, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other199,49040
Chief executives150,48060
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products106,900 
Computer and information systems managers100,59070
Engineering managers91,34030
Financial managers90,76070
Management analysts89,99060
General and operations managers89,300680
Pharmacists87,420140
Medical and health services managers86,34030
Managers, all other82,05070
Loan officers77,88080
Industrial production managers72,70090
Industrial engineers71,510120
Lawyers70,730 
Computer programmers69,830 
Mechanical engineers69,38080
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school69,00080
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers67,52060
Construction managers67,24060
Computer systems analysts64,72070
Foresters63,86030
Logisticians63,81040
Network and computer systems administrators61,830100
Civil engineers58,19080
Computer specialists, all other55,810 
Vocational education teachers, secondary school54,97030
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products53,80050
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other53,51060
Advertising sales agents53,18030
Registered nurses52,940680
Librarians52,72090
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers50,370330
Accountants and auditors50,220240
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers48,230230
Cost estimators48,060 
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers47,410260
Food service managers47,11070
Educational, vocational, and school counselors46,020150
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school45,85060
Industrial engineering technicians45,82030
Dental hygienists45,25070
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products44,670320
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants44,470200
Construction and building inspectors43,97030
Special education teachers, secondary school43,97030
Medical and public health social workers43,34040
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education42,960290
Business operations specialists, all other42,92050
Public relations specialists42,700120

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