Cost of hiring in the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area
Administrative Assistant is the largest of these 16 jobs in the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area, with about 2,870 people1. Medians run from $30,420 a year for virtual receptionists to $94,730 for project coordinators.
Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Median pay by role in the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area
| Role | Median per year | vs US median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | -7.4% | 60 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -12.3% | 1,450 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -18.0% | 2,870 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -19.5% | 60 | |
| Bookkeeper | -19.8% | 1,270 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -20.0% | 560 | |
| Accountant | -21.1% | 980 | |
| Recruiter | -22.1% | 590 | |
| Executive Assistant | -23.6% | 120 | |
| Office Manager | -24.1% | 1,020 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -24.5% | 1,180 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -24.5% | 80 | |
| Paralegal | -29.0% | 110 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -29.7% | 460 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -30.9% | 360 | |
| HR Assistant | -31.2% | 60 |
The employer pays more than the wage: benefits and payroll taxes other than paid leave are 22.5% of total compensation in US private industry2, so a $39,000 median for administrative assistants, the largest of these jobs here, comes to about $50,323 a year. That is an estimate: benefit levels vary by employer.
the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area against the US
The Northeast Alabama nonmetro area pays below the US median for all 16 roles. The gap is smallest for project coordinators (-7.4%) and customer support specialists (-12.3%) and largest for HR assistants (-31.2%). The middle gap across all 16 is -22.8%: for most of these roles, hiring costs less here than at the US median. Its best national standing is for project coordinators, #220 of 518 areas by median pay; its lowest is for HR assistants, #382 of 384.
Compared with the US mix of these jobs, the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area has more administrative assistants (25.6% of these jobs here, against 10.8% nationally) and medical administrative assistants (10.5% against 6.1%), and fewer project coordinators (0.5% against 6.8%) and executive assistants (1.1% against 2.9%). Metro areas in other states with the closest overall pay level, measured the same way, are listed below; Valdosta, GA is nearest, at -22.8%.
| Area | Middle gap to the US | Roles with data | Jobs in these roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | -22.3% | 14 | 3,590 |
| Hammond, LA | -22.6% | 14 | 3,540 |
| Northeast Alabama (Nonmetro) | -22.8% (this area) | 16 | 11,230 |
| Valdosta, GA | -22.8% | 15 | 4,420 |
| Monroe, LA | -22.8% | 16 | 7,200 |
| Alexandria, LA | -23.3% | 14 | 4,980 |
How far pay spreads inside each role
From the 10th to the 90th percentile, marketing specialists in the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area span $30,590–$103,620, the widest band (3.4×); medical administrative assistants the narrowest, $29,040–$45,860. Offers cluster nearer the median than nationally for 7 of 16 roles, sales development representatives most ($37,980–$148,840 across the US). Budget from the median for sales development representatives, accountants, marketing specialists and 3 more roles: a few well-paid jobs lift the average ($60,760 against a $49,230 median for sales development representatives).
the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area against Alabama
Against Alabama as a whole, the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area pays more only for customer support specialists (+2.2%), and less for 15, most of all HR assistants (-17.3%). It has the lowest median in Alabama for executive assistants and office managers.
Other areas in Alabama
By jobs in these roles, the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area is #5 of 16 areas in Alabama. The table shows the areas closest to it in size, from Birmingham to the Southwest Alabama nonmetro area.
| Area | Jobs in these roles | Roles with data |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 57,280 | 16 |
| Huntsville, AL | 24,650 | 16 |
| Montgomery, AL | 18,070 | 16 |
| Mobile, AL | 17,970 | 16 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 8,910 | 16 |
| Daphne-Fairhope, AL | 8,510 | 16 |
| Southeast Alabama (Nonmetro) | 6,900 | 15 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 6,570 | 15 |
| Dothan, AL | 5,820 | 14 |
| Southwest Alabama (Nonmetro) | 5,550 | 15 |
Questions
Which role costs the most to hire in the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area?
Of the 16 roles we track, Project Coordinator: a median of $94,730 a year, about $122,232 with benefits; the lowest is Virtual Receptionist, $30,420.
Is hiring in the Northeast Alabama nonmetro area cheaper than the US median?
Yes, for every role we track: all 16 medians are below the US figure, the furthest for HR assistants (-31.2%).
Sources
2 sources, with links
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-12.