SOC 51-7041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood — Decatur
Decatur, AL · 5 metro areas compared
At $44,360, median pay for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood in Decatur, AL tracks the national median of $42,770 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $44,360, median pay for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood in Decatur, AL tracks the national median of $42,770 closely. Pay ranges from under $38,290 at the tenth percentile to more than $52,000 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $43,050 to $48,920.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 7.22 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Huntsville records the highest median at $46,100. Of the 241 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 151st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,290 | −10.5% |
| 25th | $43,050 | +0.7% |
| Median (50th) | $44,360 | +3.7% |
| 75th | $48,920 | +14.4% |
| 90th | $52,000 | +21.6% |
| Mean | $45,660 | +6.8% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $46,100 | 40 | |
| 2 | Daphne | $40,000 | 30 | |
| 3 | Birmingham | $38,080 | 180 | |
| 4 | Tuscaloosa | $37,440 | 280 | |
| 5 | Auburn | $37,060 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Decatur run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $44,360 goes as far as $49,955 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,360as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,955US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,360 a year, 3.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,290 to $52,000 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntsville, at $46,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood in Decatur, AL?
The median annual wage is $44,360, or $21.33 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $42,770, so pay in Decatur, AL is 3.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Decatur, AL earns more than $52,000 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,290 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Huntsville, at $46,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Decatur, AL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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