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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | Business Operations Specialists, All Other | Business & Finance | $100K | $48.19/hr |
| 82 | Mechanical Engineers | Engineering | $100K | $48.19/hr |
| 83 | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Management | $100K | $48.09/hr |
| 84 | Industrial Engineers | Engineering | $100K | $48.02/hr |
| 85 | Budget Analysts | Business & Finance | $99K | $47.83/hr |
| 86 | Civil Engineers | Engineering | $99K | $47.6/hr |
| 87 | Logisticians | Business & Finance | $98K | $47.33/hr |
| 88 | Public Relations Managers | Management | $98K | $47.22/hr |
| 89 | Chemists | Science | $98K | $47.03/hr |
| 90 | Medical and Health Services Managers | Management | $98K | $47.02/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
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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