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.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Operations Research Analysts | Technology | $116K | $55.59/hr |
| 52 | Air Traffic Controllers | Transportation | $115K | $55.27/hr |
| 53 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | Production & Manufacturing | $115K | $55.08/hr |
| 54 | Administrative Services Managers | Management | $115K | $55.07/hr |
| 55 | Human Resources Managers | Management | $113K | $54.43/hr |
| 56 | General and Operations Managers | Management | $112K | $53.75/hr |
| 57 | Life Scientists, All Other | Science | $111K | $53.15/hr |
| 58 | Nuclear Technicians | Science | $110K | $53/hr |
| 59 | Transportation Inspectors | Transportation | $108K | $51.99/hr |
| 60 | Management Analysts | Business & Finance | $108K | $51.94/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
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After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in Alabama?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
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Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data