The Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area is tracked by BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 269 occupations in the May 2025 release — each representing a distinct SOC code where local employment is large enough to report without triggering confidentiality suppression. Averaging the top-ranked occupation medians gives roughly $120,133 per year, a rough midpoint that helps you compare this metro to peer cities and the national picture. The BEA Regional Price Parity index for Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL sits at 94.7, meaning the local price level is 5% below the national average for rent, groceries, services, and transportation combined.

At the top of the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ranking, Nurse Anesthetists pays a median of $197,560. Second-ranked is Architectural and Engineering Managers at $160,680, followed by Optometrists at $160,680. At the bottom of the reported-occupation range, Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop pays $26,870. This spread between top-specialist and entry-service pay is characteristic of U.S. metro labor markets, though the specific ratio varies by metro economic base. Critically, nominal pay in Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL converts to $126,870 of purchasing power in a national-average-cost city — the paycheck you take home here buys more than the same nominal amount would in high-cost metros.

Metro medians reflect where the job is located, not where you live — relevant if you plan to commute across MSA boundaries. BLS defines metro areas using OMB's MSA delineations, so Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL spans the central city plus economically integrated surrounding counties. When using this page, drill into individual occupation rows to see percentile spread (the top 10% often earns 2× or more than the median) and compare against the occupation's national profile to see whether Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL pays a premium or discount for that specific role. Remember that OEWS wages capture base pay only — health benefits, retirement contributions, bonuses, overtime, and equity compensation can add 20-40% to real total compensation, and that gap often skews larger in high-cost metros where employers load non-wage benefits to remain competitive.