Decatur Employment

Employment and Industries in the Decatur, Alabama Area

Decatur is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies. They were attracted by the large amount of barge traffic on the Tennessee River. The city is sometimes called "Home of Meow Mix" due to the manufacturer purchasing a large facility in Decatur. The Huntsville-Decatur area is known for having a large number of engineers. Approximately 16% of the residents have a bachelor's degree and 7% have a graduate degree. In addition, in early 2009 the average salary in Decatur was $30,000. In 2008 the cost of living index was 80.7. The average in the nation is 100.

The major industries in Decatur are manufacturing, cargo transit, hi-tech, education, health and social services and retail. About 30% of the jobs in Decatur are in management, professional and related occupations. Some of the other common occupations are sales positions, office jobs, production, transportation, material moving jobs, scientific and technical services, educational services and food services. Tourism has a notable influence on employment due to the popular festivals in the area such as the Alabama Jubilee, the Spirit of America Festival, Riverfest and the Racking Horse World Celebration.

The United Launch Alliance combined Boeing and Lockheed-Martin's rocket manufacturing contracts in a central location in Decatur. Currently all satellite launching rockets used by the United States Government are constructed in the city which brought a large number of jobs to Decatur. In addition, in 2008 a large development was announced for inside the city limits which will add numerous jobs in the areas of retail, medical, office workers and jobs related to entertainment venues.

Some major employers and companies of note in the Decatur area:

  • General Dynamics
  • Raytheon
  • L-3 Communications
  • General Electric
  • United Launch Alliance
  • 3M
  • Bunge International
  • Decatur City Schools
  • Meow Mix
  • Hyosung
  • Solutia
  • Nucor
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
  • MPW Industrial Services
  • BP
  • Primesco
  • City of Decatur
  • Mutual Savings Life Insurance Company
  • National Healthcare of Decatur
  • Goss Electric
  • McCatur

Two major business organizations associated with Decatur:

The Decatur Daily offers current information on business activities in Decatur.

Jobs in Decatur

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations55110$42,910$20.63100
2Production Occupations8770$41,870$20.135.6
3Office and Administrative Support Occupations6040$34,740$16.713.75
4Sales and Related Occupations5820$34,250$16.479.5
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations5740$34,550$16.616.7
6Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations5090$20,380$9.88.7
7Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations3110$50,120$24.13.75
8Construction and Extraction Occupations2930$43,240$20.794.6
9Educational Instruction and Library Occupations2700$47,080$22.646
10Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations2630$61,400$29.525.85
11Retail Salespersons2230$23,600$11.352.7
12Healthcare Support Occupations2160$24,590$11.822.85
13Management Occupations2010$104,020$50.016.35
14Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1960$26,420$12.71.8
15Cashiers1550$20,880$10.042.2
16Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations1530$26,260$12.623.6
17Architecture and Engineering Occupations1460$99,450$47.811.7
18Business and Financial Operations Occupations1420$68,430$32.95.35
19Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1390$34,030$16.361.4
20Fast Food and Counter Workers1280$18,470$8.882.45
21Home Health and Personal Care Aides1270$21,220$10.20
22Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers1250$49,220$23.671.2
23Protective Service Occupations1060$43,900$21.112.2
24Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators1010$33,100$15.910.8
25Registered Nurses960$49,980$24.031.95
26Cooks, Restaurant930$20,940$10.070.9
27Waiters and Waitresses880$18,350$8.821.65
28Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners860$23,900$11.491.5
29General and Operations Managers790$111,660$53.681.5
30Personal Care and Service Occupations780$25,690$12.354.65
31Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products740$74,520$35.830.85
32Customer Service Representatives660$30,730$14.781.75
33First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers660$70,310$33.80.4
34Industrial Machinery Mechanics610$56,510$27.170.2
35Stockers and Order Fillers580$27,120$13.041.25
36First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers500$29,180$14.030.6
37Computer and Mathematical Occupations490$72,550$34.883
38Office Clerks, General490$25,490$12.261.9
39Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks480$37,170$17.871.05
40Maintenance and Repair Workers, General480$42,520$20.440.9
41Machinists470$52,680$25.330.2
42Electricians460$49,370$23.730.45
43First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers460$35,630$17.130.95
44Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers460$45,680$21.960.3
45First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers450$50,970$24.50.95
46Nursing Assistants430$24,080$11.580.95
47Community and Social Service Occupations420$50,350$24.211.75
48Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations390$63,790$30.670.8
49Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria380$20,060$9.640.3
50Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders370$67,570$32.490.05
51Construction Laborers370$30,990$14.90.9
52Packers and Packagers, Hand360$32,370$15.560.4
53First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers350$62,040$29.830.4
54Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers350$44,740$21.510.4
55Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers330$40,110$19.280.35
56Receptionists and Information Clerks330$26,910$12.940.7
57Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks330$31,530$15.160.4
58Accountants and Auditors310$62,500$30.050.9
59First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers310$72,830$35.020.3
60Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators310$30,590$14.710.4
61Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters310$49,850$23.970.3
62Tellers300$27,610$13.270.25
63Light Truck Drivers290$38,690$18.60.6
64Industrial Engineers260$97,890$47.060.2
65Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners250$18,930$9.10.9
66Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses240$36,810$17.70.5
67Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers230$29,190$14.040.75
68Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment220$25,860$12.440.3
69Mechanical Engineers220$104,670$50.320.2
70Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations210$40,910$19.671.8
71Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics210$40,680$19.560.5
72Childcare Workers210$17,970$8.640.7
73First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors210$58,860$28.30.3
74Security Guards210$44,370$21.330.7
75Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders210$47,250$22.720
76Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants200$37,970$18.250.4
77Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders190$34,540$16.610.1
78Cooks, Fast Food190$18,130$8.720.3
79Counter and Rental Clerks190$22,340$10.740.3
80Insurance Sales Agents190$87,600$42.120.3
81Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators190$38,930$18.710.25
82Industrial Production Managers180$129,660$62.340.1
83Legal Occupations180$61,270$29.460.8
84Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity180$17,640$8.480.3
85Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations170$26,820$12.890.65
86Pharmacy Technicians170$30,600$14.710.3
87Postal Service Mail Carriers170$50,350$24.20.2
88Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel170$52,260$25.130.7
89Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists160$45,650$21.950.2
90Human Resources Specialists160$59,220$28.470.4
91Medical Assistants160$27,340$13.150.45
92Carpenters150$37,370$17.970.6
93Correctional Officers and Jailers150$29,190$14.030.25
94Dental Hygienists150$49,880$23.980.1
95Financial Managers150$107,990$51.920.4
96Firefighters150$47,030$22.610.2
97Computer User Support Specialists140$46,570$22.390.4
98Helpers--Production Workers130$25,030$12.040.2
99Pest Control Workers130$43,340$20.840.1
100Pharmacists130$123,360$59.310.2
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Jobs More Common Near Decatur Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$42,91055,110
Production Occupations$41,8708,770
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$34,7406,040
Sales and Related Occupations$34,2505,820
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$34,5505,740
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$20,3805,090
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,1203,110
Construction and Extraction Occupations$43,2402,930
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$47,0802,700
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$61,4002,630
Retail Salespersons$23,6002,230
Healthcare Support Occupations$24,5902,160
Management Occupations$104,0202,010
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$26,4201,960
Cashiers$20,8801,550
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$26,2601,530
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$99,4501,460
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$68,4301,420
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$34,0301,390
Fast Food and Counter Workers$18,4701,280
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$21,2201,270
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,2201,250
Protective Service Occupations$43,9001,060
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,1001,010
Registered Nurses$49,980960
Cooks, Restaurant$20,940930
Waiters and Waitresses$18,350880
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$23,900860
General and Operations Managers$111,660790
Personal Care and Service Occupations$25,690780
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$74,520740
Customer Service Representatives$30,730660
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70,310660
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$56,510610
Stockers and Order Fillers$27,120580
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$29,180500
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$72,550490
Office Clerks, General$25,490490
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,170480
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$42,520480
Machinists$52,680470
Electricians$49,370460
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$35,630460
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$45,680460
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$50,970450
Nursing Assistants$24,080430
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,350420
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$63,790390
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$20,060380
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$67,570370

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$42,91055,110
Production Occupations$41,8708,770
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$34,7406,040
Sales and Related Occupations$34,2505,820
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$34,5505,740
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,1203,110
Construction and Extraction Occupations$43,2402,930
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$47,0802,700
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$61,4002,630
Management Occupations$104,0202,010
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$26,4201,960
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$26,2601,530
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$99,4501,460
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$68,4301,420
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$34,0301,390
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,2201,250
Protective Service Occupations$43,9001,060
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,1001,010
Registered Nurses$49,980960
General and Operations Managers$111,660790
Personal Care and Service Occupations$25,690780
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$74,520740
Customer Service Representatives$30,730660
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70,310660
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$56,510610
Stockers and Order Fillers$27,120580
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$29,180500
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$72,550490
Office Clerks, General$25,490490
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,170480
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$42,520480
Machinists$52,680470
Electricians$49,370460
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$35,630460
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$45,680460
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$50,970450
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,350420
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$63,790390
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$67,570370
Construction Laborers$30,990370
Packers and Packagers, Hand$32,370360
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$62,040350
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$44,740350
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$40,110330
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,910330
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$31,530330
Accountants and Auditors$62,500310
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$72,830310
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$30,590310
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$49,850310

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