Software Developers Salary
The median pay for a software developers in Alabama is $122,540/year ($58.91/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.36), which stretches that salary to about $138,683 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,085/month, or 14.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alabama. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $123K get you in Alabama?
About software developers
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What this looks like in Alabama
Software developers pay in Alabama tracks closely to the national median, $123K locally vs. $136K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,085/month, 14.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.36 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alabama
Entry-level software developers (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K. Top earners bring in $175K or more, a $104K spread from bottom to top.
Software Developers salary by metro in Alabama
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | $128K | +5% | 7,030 |
| Birmingham | $125K | +2% | 3,830 |
| Mobile | $123K | +0% | 1,050 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | $121K | -1% | 340 |
| Auburn-Opelika | $120K | -2% | 290 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | $116K | -5% | 130 |
| Dothan | $116K | -6% | 160 |
| Montgomery | $111K | -10% | 780 |
| Decatur | $108K | -12% | 160 |
| Tuscaloosa | $105K | -14% | 290 |
| Anniston-Oxford | $99K | -19% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alabama numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a software developer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alabama?
Yes — at the median salary of $123K, rent takes 14.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,085/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for software developers in Alabama?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new software developers typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,295/month. At HUD’s $1,085/month FMR, rent would take 25% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is software developer a high-paying job in Alabama?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $123K locally vs. $136K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Alabama compare to the national average for software developers?
Alabama pays $123K median vs. the U.S. average of $136K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.36), the purchasing-power equivalent is $139K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do software developers make in Alabama?
The median is $122,540 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,590, and experienced software developers can clear $175,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in Alabama?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,379/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,085/month, which eats 14.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a software developers salary go in Alabama?
Alabama has a Regional Price Parity of 88.36 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median software developers salary is worth about $138,683 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do software developers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.