Top Paying Jobs in Alabama
Alabama has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 227,740 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Cardiologists ($519,480), Dermatologists ($394,550), Anesthesiologists ($392,350). The cost of living index is 88.36 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,085/month.
ⓘ
State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$137K
Avg. median salary
88.36
Cost of living index
$1,085
Median 2BR rent
5,108,468
Population
Highest paying careers in Alabama
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Nurse Anesthetists | Healthcare | $190K | $91.49/hr |
| 12 | Chief Executives | Management | $166K | $80.01/hr |
| 13 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Management | $162K | $78.06/hr |
| 14 | Podiatrists | Healthcare | $162K | $77.8/hr |
| 15 | Engineers, All Other | Engineering | $153K | $73.34/hr |
| 16 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $145K | $69.75/hr |
| 17 | Financial Managers | Management | $141K | $67.55/hr |
| 18 | Physicists | Science | $139K | $66.98/hr |
| 19 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | Management | $139K | $66.67/hr |
| 20 | Computer Hardware Engineers | Engineering | $137K | $65.86/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Alabama
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-11.6% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,085/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Metro areas in Alabama
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Anniston-Oxford
$962/mo rentRPP 85.9
Auburn-Opelika$995/mo rentRPP 87.9
Birmingham$1,088/mo rentRPP 91.6
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley$965/mo rentRPP 94.7
Decatur$961/mo rentRPP 87.2
Dothan$950/mo rentRPP 83.8
Florence-Muscle Shoals$1,146/mo rentRPP 84.8
Gadsden$927/mo rentRPP 85.7
Huntsville$1,310/mo rentRPP 93.1
Mobile$908/mo rentRPP 88.1
Montgomery$1,016/mo rentRPP 89.7
Tuscaloosa$1,169/mo rentRPP 87.7
Compare Alabama to other cities
Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
Remote work salary calculator
See what your salary is worth in Alabama
Calculate take-home pay in Alabama
After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in Alabama?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Alabama?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data