Alabama wages
South region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, Alabama has a median annual wage of $43,830 and a mean of $55,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — -11.5% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #46 of 51 states by mean wage. About 2,091,480 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in Alabama is Family Medicine Physicians ($198,930 median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in Alabama: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in Alabama for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | Alabama median | US median | Alabama jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $113,020 | $133,080 | 18,020 |
| Registered Nurses | $71,040 | $93,600 | 53,340 |
| Electricians | $52,420 | $62,350 | 9,740 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,120 | $57,440 | 37,490 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $71,070 | $81,680 | 25,420 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $59,850 | $62,340 | 16,910 |
| Lawyers | $127,660 | $151,160 | 5,810 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $53,840 | $62,970 | 7,880 |
| Pharmacists | $133,930 | $137,480 | 5,880 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $53,850 | $76,290 | 12,060 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in Alabama
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in Alabama, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $198,930 | $212,590 |
| 2 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $157,520 | $160,920 |
| 3 | Actuaries | $143,230 | $133,320 |
| 4 | Financial Managers | $138,040 | $153,650 |
| 5 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $134,430 | $145,930 |
| 6 | Pharmacists | $133,930 | $129,100 |
| 7 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $133,500 | $142,610 |
| 8 | Aerospace Engineers | $133,080 | $136,210 |
| 9 | Computer Network Architects | $128,210 | $126,770 |
| 10 | Lawyers | $127,660 | $139,470 |
| 11 | Electrical Engineers | $115,870 | $122,950 |
| 12 | Software Developers | $113,020 | $117,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in Alabama?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Alabama is $43,830 and the mean is $55,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is -11.5% versus the US median of $49,500. Alabama ranks #46 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in Alabama include Family Medicine Physicians ($198,930), Architectural and Engineering Managers ($157,520), Actuaries ($143,230). See the full list on this page.
Are Alabama wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. Alabama's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within Alabama. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20