Opelika Observer Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Opelika Observer in the United States is $42. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $87,475. Salaries at Opelika Observer typically range from $37 to $48 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Opelika Observer Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Opelika Observer. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Community Relations Officer, with an hourly wage of $44. The table below outlines the hourly wage ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Opelika Observer

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Opelika Observer. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Opelika Observer’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Opelika Observer's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Studio Classroom $51
+21.6%
Reflects a supply-demand imbalance for the specific talent Studio Classroom targets.
Midland Reporter-Telegram $41
-2.8%
Confirms Midland Reporter-Telegram is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine LLC $40
-4.3%
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine LLC operates with a leaner overhead structure, impacting base wage offers.
Lifehacker $51
+21.0%
Reflects structural premiums typical of Lifehacker's large-cap national operations.
Media Industry $61
+43.5%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Opelika Observer

Considering a career at Opelika Observer? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Communication is often formal and occasionally inconsistent, hindering smooth collaboration. Consistent recognition and clear paths to progress. A dependable workplace, but innovation isn’t always encouraged. Everyone’s ideas are genuinely valued.
It’s a rewarding environment for anyone passionate about media and storytelling. Leadership is transparent about business performance and has a clear vision for sustainable growth. Working here has been creatively fulfilling.
It feels good to work for a media outlet that people rely on and respect. There’s a wonderful lack of ego here. Leadership encourages original thinking. Advancement is possible and stable workplace more suited to those valuing security than rapid change. The culture supports diversity and inclusion, fostering respect and creativity. Career advancement opportunities are limited and competitive. Cr...
The company encourages this kind of peer-to-peer support and knowledge sharing. I look forward to coming to work and contributing to impactful projects. However, the environment doesn’t feel especially innovative. Content creation is truly collaborative.

Opelika Observer Overview

Website
www.opelikaobserver.com
Founded In
2008
Employees
25 - 50 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Address
223 S 8th St Opelika Alabama AL 36801
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 3347498003
Social Media
About Opelika Observer
We feel honored and blessed to have succeeded in our endeavor to create and maintain a newspaper for this community that focuses solely on this community. What we say in our motto, "By local people, for local people," is exactly what we mean. While economic indicators and employment trends tell us that journalism and newspapers are not economically sound investments in these times, we tend to disa

What Benefits Does Opelika Observer Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Opelika Observer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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How Much Should You Be Earning?

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What Is the Cost of Living Near Auburn?

Understanding the cost of living near Auburn is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Opelika Observer.
Auburn's Cost of Living Index is approximately 89.3 (10.7% less expensive than US average; 8.5% more than AL average). Primary driver for its higher cost relative to state average is housing, influenced by student demand from Auburn University. When planning your budget based on a salary from Opelika Observer, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $900 - $1,500+ A significant portion of Opelika Observer salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $250 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $0 - $20 (Tiger Transit is free for many) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $350 - $550 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $300 - $600+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $300 - $600+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,000 - $3,520+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Opelika Observer

1. What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at Opelika Observer?

The typical salary range for most roles at Opelika Observer is approximately from $37 to $48 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. How much does Opelika Observer pay compared to Studio Classroom?

The average annual salary at Opelika Observer is $87,475, or an hourly wage of $42, in comparison to Studio Classroom which pays $106,345 per year or $51 per hour.

3. Do salaries differ significantly between departments at Opelika Observer?

Yes, salaries often differ between departments at Opelika Observer due to varying market demand for specific skill sets and the nature of the roles. For example, technical roles in Engineering or IT may command different salary ranges compared to roles in Marketing or Human Resources.

4. How does experience level affect salary at Opelika Observer?

Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at Opelika Observer, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.

5. How can I determine if a salary offer from Opelika Observer in Auburn is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from Opelika Observer in Auburn is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Opelika Observer and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Auburn" to understand its purchasing power.

6. Why might an individual's actual salary at Opelika Observer differ from the ranges shown here?

An individual's actual salary at Opelika Observer can differ from our estimated ranges due to various factors. These include their specific years of experience in the role, unique skills or certifications, educational background, performance record, the specific team or department they join, negotiation outcomes, and even the precise timing of when they were hired relative to market fluctuations. Our ranges represent typical compensation.